Zookeepers trained on management of captive wildlife

The first zookeepers two-day training on “management of captive wildlife in Nagaland” was organised by Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP) in collaboration with scientific and industrial research organisation Aaranyak at NZP, Dimapur.
In a press release, Aaranyak informed that the training covered topics such as primates & enrichment, birds and its enrichment, basic of husbandry practices, treatment, care & managements, treatment, care & managements and hand on training in the zoo.
The inaugural session began with an address from NZP zoo veterinarian, Dr. Michael Imti Imchen while second session was addressed by Mridupaban Phukan on birds and its enrichments.
Inaugurating the second day of the training, principal chief conservator of forest and head of forest forces (PCCF & HoFF) Dharmendra Prakash expressed hope to see Nagaland Zoological Park as the largest zoo in the North East. He also assured support from the department of Environment and Forest & Climate Change.
The second session was address by Dr. Bijay Gogoi from Assam State Zoo Guwahati and Dr. Samshul Ali of Wildlife Trust of India.
Earlier, during the inaugural session of the training chief wildlife warden, and additional principal chief conservator of forest (Territorial) Nagaland, Vedpal Singh said such type of training was first of its kind in the Nagaland, which he hoped, would help participants expand their capacity for the management of captive animals in the Park.
NZP director, Dr. C. Zupeni Tsanglai said zookeepers were the backbone of the zoological Park and without their dedication, it was impossible to keep any animal at the zoo.
Dr. Zupeni also thanked Aaranyak for supporting the noble cause.
Head of Primate Research & Conservation Initiatives of Aaranyak, Dr. Dilip Chetry also asked the participants to make use of the training to enhance their knowledge. He also briefed on different of primates in Nagaland and its importance in conservation in particular and biodiversity in general.
Meanwhile, a field study was conducted at the zoo campus. During the training programme, Dr. Dilip Chetry, Mridy Paban Phukan from Wildlife Conservation and Study Centre, Dr. Bijay Gogoi from Assam State Zoo Guwahati and Dr. Samshul Ali of Wildlife Trust of India, Dr. C. Zupeni Tsanglai, Dr. Michael Imti Imch, Dr. Michael R Tsanglao and Watisungla Amer acted as resource persons.
Altogether, 20 participants of NZP and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Pondicherry attended the training.