Ahmedabad zoo offers a chance to adopt wild animals and birds

September 18th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - In contrast to leaders of some political parties, who are criticising the austerity measures mooted by the government as mere 'tokenism', Gandhians associated with the Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad have lauded the initiative. The Gandhains, who themselves live a life of extreme simplicity, following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, said that if politicians lead a simple life, people would certainly follow in tune with the adage: Follow the leader.

August 25th, 2009 NAINITAL - Ageing of rare animals in the zoological park in Nainital becomes a cause of concern for the authorities. The 'Bharat Ratna Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo' is one of its kind, which provides safe haven to rare Himalayan black bears, snow leopards, and Siberian tigers and other high altitude fauna.

August 23rd, 2009 KAZIRANGA - Kaziranga National Park authorities have put up barricades to slow down vehicles to ensure safe passage for migrating animals. Heavy downpours during the monsoon season submerge almost 40 percent of the park, posing a grave threat to animals.

July 1st, 2009 Jasrota,KATHUA - Acute water shortage in Jammu has led to death of a number of animals in and around the Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary. The natural water reserves have all dried up due to the heat wave and the authorities have been unable to arrange drinking water for the zoo inmates.

June 24th, 2009 LUDHIANA - As the mercury continues to rise, it has become increasingly difficult for animals to beat the heat at the ill-equipped Ludhiana Zoo. The zoo authorities are finding it tough to provide relief to hapless animals in a temperature of 45 degree Celsius.

June 11th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the government should adopt 'zero tolerance" towards terrorism. After paying tribute to Major Rishikesh Ramani, who was killed in a fierce gunabattle at Khurhama, near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara District, he said, "There should be "zero tolerance towards terrorism"." "It is unfortunate that terrorism is claiming lives of youths like Major Ramani for the last 25 years," he added after visiting Major Ramani's residence.

June 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Activists of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Thursday staged a demonstration outside American fast food outlet Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant in New Delhi against the alleged abusive treatment to birds. The protestors, dressed as chickens, were carrying posters which read, 'boycott KFC'.

May 24th, 2009 SILIGURI - Forest rangers of Siliguri rescued two leopards from a deep trench on Saturday after a well-planned and executed operation. Reportedly, the locals spotted the 'spotted feline beauties', one adult and the other cub, which had strayed into the plantation estate of Rangamati Tea Gardens and fell into an open deep trench that had been dug up to trap wild animals.

May 5th, 2009 RANCHI - With awareness campaigns bearing fruit, the number of animals sacrificed during the tribal festival of Vishu was a mere two this year compared to over 15 last year, a forest official said. The sharp reduction in sacrifices during the festival, that was celebrated Monday, was the result of an awareness campaigns organised by the forest department for the last four years, the official said.

April 26th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - An unidentified man attempted to fling a shoe at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he entered the Tagore Hall in Paldi locality of Ahmedabad here Sunday to address a rally. The shoe did not hit the prime minister.

April 7th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - Activists of the Indian chapter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Tuesday staged a protest in Chandigarh against cruelty towards poultry birds. Accusing the leading fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) of being insensitive towards poultry birds, the activists gathered outside a KFC outlet dressed in black as skeletons of dead poultry birds.

March 28th, 2009 GUWAHATI - Residents of Sonaighuli in Guwahati heaved a sigh of relief after a leopard on prowl and which had fallen into an open well in their neighbourhood was rescued by the rangers of Forest Department on Saturday. They spotted it when they came to draw water from the well in the early hours of morning and instantly, they informed the police who in turn summoned the forest rangers.

February 12th, 2009 CHANDIGARH - Zoo animals could hope for a better future in Punjab with the government Friday announcing a scheme to facilitate their adoption, the state's Forests and Wildlife Minister Tikshan Sud said Friday. He said that the 'Animal Adoption scheme' was being initiated, keeping in view the increasing demand from animal lovers for animal adoption and also to meet rising maintenance costs of animals in zoos.

January 3rd, 2009 BHOPAL - A team of forest officials has been deputed to trace wild cats in the Tarned village of Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district after a leopard was killed by the villagers there. The villagers had Friday killed a leopard which injured at least six people, including a woman during the past few days.

December 31st, 2008 BHOPAL - Animal lovers in Madhya Pradesh will now be able to adopt a wild animal of their choice by paying for the their feeding and upkeep at the Van Vihar National Park here, an official said Thursday. Minister of State for Forest Rajendra Shukla told IANS that the national park launched the scheme for adoption of wild animals with a view to instilling affection towards wildlife in the hearts of people.