Chilli powder was poured, fire was ignited: Jackal burnt alive at Delhi zoo, claims workers union
The Union alleged that neither the zoo's veterinary authorities were informed about this, nor a mandatory post-mortem examination conducted.
New Delhi: One of the few jackals that escaped from their enclosure at the National Zoological Park in Delhi last November was burnt alive, the National Zoo Workers Union alleged in a complaint to the Union Environment Ministry.
In November last year, around four jackals managed to escape from their enclosure at Delhi's zoo, allegedly due to a small gap in the fencing at the back of the enclosure. Later, it was reported that all had been rescued. However, a complaint from the zoo workers' union prompted the Union Environment Ministry to order a probe into the incident. The Union alleged the unlawful killing of one of these jackals.
Under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, jackals are granted the highest level of legal protection and placed alongside tigers and rhinos for conservation priority.
Chilli powder was poured, fire was ignited
In the complaint, the Union told the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on Monday that after escaping their enclosure one of the jackals jumped into the enclosure of a Himalayan black bear. It claimed that instead of following lawful rescue and containment procedures, the ranger in charge allegedly devised a plan to kill the jackal "by burning it alive inside the bear’s burrow”.
"It is alleged that in November, several jackals escaped from their designated enclosure due to gross administrative negligence, lack of supervision, and failure of zoo management to maintain safety standards. It is further alleged that one jackal entered Beat No. 4 and jumped into the enclosure of a Himalayan Black Bear," the complaint letter read.
As per the complaint, "chilli powder was poured into the burrow and fire was ignited inside it", resulting in the "unlawful killing” of the animal. The Union claimed that the zoo authorities had called daily wage labourers for this work. "It is alleged that chilli powder was poured into the burrow and a fire was ignited inside it, resulting in extreme cruelty and unlawful killing of the animal," the letter added.
Workers' union seeks independent inquiry
The complaint also stated that the zoo worker allegedly went inside the burrow two days later and retrieved the remains, which were "clandestinely disposed of”. The Union alleged that neither the zoo's veterinary authorities were informed about this, nor a mandatory post-mortem examination conducted.
The Union sought an independent inquiry into what it describes as gross violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and established protocol governing zoological parks. Acting on the Union's complaint, a team of MOEFCC officials visited the zoo on Tuesday.