Panaji: Bondla Zoo is set to incur an estimated expenditure of nearly Rs 50 lakh annually towards the supply of food for its captive and rescued wild animals.
The estimate has emerged from a recent tender floated by the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests, inviting bids for the supply of perishable food items such as vegetables, fruits and beef.
As per the official data, the zoo requires substantial quantities of food throughout the year, with vegetables forming the largest component. A daily supply of around 75 kg of assorted vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, bottle gourd, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, okra and other seasonal produce, has been projected. This alone is expected to cost approximately Rs 14.08 lakh annually, with supplies scheduled for 317 days.
Fruits constitute the second major category in the feeding plan. The tender outlines a daily requirement of 12 kg of mixed fruits such as apples, oranges, papaya, grapes, mangoes and pomegranate, along with six dozen bananas. The annual expenditure for fruits is estimated at Rs 5.44 lakh, with supply planned for 313 days. Beef accounts for the largest share of the overall cost despite lower quantities of about 25 kg required daily. The annual expenditure on beef is projected at Rs 30.51 lakh.
Officials said the structured feeding plan ensures balanced nutrition for animals housed in the zoo and those under care, while maintaining consistent supply through the year.
Covering an area of 7.98 sq km, Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the smallest protected areas in Goa. The sanctuary is a paradise for nature lovers due to the presence of the only small zoo of the state, a deer safari park, a botanical garden and an eco-tourism complex.
The sanctuary is mostly covered with moist deciduous forest with small patches of semi-evergreen forest and cane along streams. Although the sanctuary encompasses a small area, it is an ideal habitat for wildlife such as Gaur, leopard, jungle cat, wild boar, porcupine, Malabar giant squirrel, pangolin and a variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles and birds.
