Press Release
Himalayan Zoological Park conducted a Monkey Sterilization Programme here at Conference Hall of Himalayan Zoological Park, Bulbuley
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, September 18 (IPR): The Himalayan Zoological Park conducted a Monkey Sterilization Programme here at Conference Hall of Himalayan Zoological Park, Bulbuley, today.
The training programme was organized by Himalayan Zoological Park Wild Rescue Centre (Bulbuley) in collaboration with Forest, Environment & Wildlife Department, Government of Sikkim and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Government of Sikkim.
The main objective of the training programme was to assess the countermeasures taken by Himachal Pradesh to tackle the population of monkey which was causing property damage and threat to life in the state. It was informed that the most feasible way to check the population was to sterilize 80% of the primate population and send them back to the same place from where they were captured without causing any physical harm to them.
The Forest Department has identified three belts in Gangtok to conduct their operation- Namnang- Tashiling Secretariat, Dichenling-Tashi View Point and Deorali-Tadong stretch. The training programme initiated today on 18th September 2023 and is scheduled to conclude on 30th September 2023. It aims to sterilize 200 primates in and around Gangtok by the end of the deadline.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, Government of Sikkim, Shri Sandeep Tanbe, in his power point presentation highlighted various issues such as population dynamics of the primate, key challenges to capture monkeys and lessons taken from other states. Speaking on the context, he apprised the gathering about various issues such as poor food management which is attracting the primates to the urban areas. In his address, he gave a solution to the problem by bringing about behavioural change on feeding habits of citizens of state who are prone to provide food for wild animals. He expanded on this subject by statting that citizens can attract wild animals by poor food waste management. He stressed that such behavioural change as doing away with feeding wild animals and proper food waste management will also change the behaviour of primates who will then forage food as nature intended them.
Veterinary Officer, Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Vipin Kumar presented a technical session through a powerpoint presentation where he spoke on various issues such as methods taken by the state of Himachal Pradesh in tackling the primate invasion in the state. Further, he expanded on feeding behaviour of Rhesus Macaque, population trends in Macaque, types of man-animal conflict, reasons for man-animal contract, Monkey sterilization programmes, details on Monkey Sterilization Centres (MSCs) and recommendations. In his presentation, he stated the pros of conducting monkey sterilization programme in Himachal Pradesh which has resulted in decline of primate population in the State. He reiterated the words of Shri Tanbe by recommending the citizens to shun from feeding wild animals and practice proper food management. He concluded his speech with a hope that Sikkim will follow countermeasures to control the primate population when their population is still below critical level.
The power point presentation was followed by a hands on technical session for veterinarians and Paravets on Post Operative Management procedure at Wildlife Rescue Centre. A total number of eight veterinary doctors and paravets were trained by Dr. Vipin Kumar and his team from Himachal Pradesh.
An interactive session between veterinary officials and Dr. Vipin Kumar also took place during the training programme.
The training programme had the presence of Director Himalayan Zoological Park, Shri Sangay G. Bhutia, DFO Wildlife Gangtok, Ms. Sonam Norden Bhutia, DFO Himalayan Zoological Park, Ms. Shewani Pradhan, DFO Forest Department, Shri Jigmee Bhutia, Retired DFO, Smt. Usha Lachungpa, Veterinary officials from Himachal Pradesh, Animal Husbandry officials and Forest officials
The training programme was organized by Himalayan Zoological Park Wild Rescue Centre (Bulbuley) in collaboration with Forest, Environment & Wildlife Department, Government of Sikkim and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Government of Sikkim.
The main objective of the training programme was to assess the countermeasures taken by Himachal Pradesh to tackle the population of monkey which was causing property damage and threat to life in the state. It was informed that the most feasible way to check the population was to sterilize 80% of the primate population and send them back to the same place from where they were captured without causing any physical harm to them.
The Forest Department has identified three belts in Gangtok to conduct their operation- Namnang- Tashiling Secretariat, Dichenling-Tashi View Point and Deorali-Tadong stretch. The training programme initiated today on 18th September 2023 and is scheduled to conclude on 30th September 2023. It aims to sterilize 200 primates in and around Gangtok by the end of the deadline.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, Government of Sikkim, Shri Sandeep Tanbe, in his power point presentation highlighted various issues such as population dynamics of the primate, key challenges to capture monkeys and lessons taken from other states. Speaking on the context, he apprised the gathering about various issues such as poor food management which is attracting the primates to the urban areas. In his address, he gave a solution to the problem by bringing about behavioural change on feeding habits of citizens of state who are prone to provide food for wild animals. He expanded on this subject by statting that citizens can attract wild animals by poor food waste management. He stressed that such behavioural change as doing away with feeding wild animals and proper food waste management will also change the behaviour of primates who will then forage food as nature intended them.
Veterinary Officer, Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Vipin Kumar presented a technical session through a powerpoint presentation where he spoke on various issues such as methods taken by the state of Himachal Pradesh in tackling the primate invasion in the state. Further, he expanded on feeding behaviour of Rhesus Macaque, population trends in Macaque, types of man-animal conflict, reasons for man-animal contract, Monkey sterilization programmes, details on Monkey Sterilization Centres (MSCs) and recommendations. In his presentation, he stated the pros of conducting monkey sterilization programme in Himachal Pradesh which has resulted in decline of primate population in the State. He reiterated the words of Shri Tanbe by recommending the citizens to shun from feeding wild animals and practice proper food management. He concluded his speech with a hope that Sikkim will follow countermeasures to control the primate population when their population is still below critical level.
The power point presentation was followed by a hands on technical session for veterinarians and Paravets on Post Operative Management procedure at Wildlife Rescue Centre. A total number of eight veterinary doctors and paravets were trained by Dr. Vipin Kumar and his team from Himachal Pradesh.
An interactive session between veterinary officials and Dr. Vipin Kumar also took place during the training programme.
The training programme had the presence of Director Himalayan Zoological Park, Shri Sangay G. Bhutia, DFO Wildlife Gangtok, Ms. Sonam Norden Bhutia, DFO Himalayan Zoological Park, Ms. Shewani Pradhan, DFO Forest Department, Shri Jigmee Bhutia, Retired DFO, Smt. Usha Lachungpa, Veterinary officials from Himachal Pradesh, Animal Husbandry officials and Forest officials