Byculla Zoo: Tenders invited for penguin centre.

The Byculla zoo makeover project has got an encouraging push with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) inviting tenders for the creation of a 3D theatre and penguin exhibit exploration centre in the soon-to-be-built Nature Interpretation Centre at the zoo.

The proposed works of interior designing, landscaping, electrical and allied works will be carried out for 3D theatre, penguin exhibit, exploration centre in the Interpretation Centre.

According to the civic officials, BMC has received a good response from international firms, with nine companies having responded to the tenders so far, which will be opened next week. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 77 crore.

BMC has planned to buy three pairs of Humbolt Penguins, which will be housed in the Nature Interpretation Centre that is about to be created in the zoo.

The centre's 100 sq mt special transparent temperature-controlled glass enclosure will be equally divided in sections with water, sand and rocks. Humboldt penguins like to nest in rocks.

'Shows about wildlife, forest, environment will be shown in the 3D theatre. The penguins exhibit centre is also expected to draw huge crowd as the creatures are likely to be biggest attraction of the zoo,' said a senior civic official.

The civic body has also decided to send two veterinary doctors and animal keepers to Jurong Bird Park in Singapore and Khao Kheow Zoon in Bangkok for training in upkeep of penguins. They will be trained extensively on the upkeep of penguins, their diet, life support system and medication.

The zoo revamp project will be expedited once these works start. It will take around two months to scrutinise and allocate these tenders, said the official.

The total cost of the zoo revamp project will be around Rs. 150 crore, which will include works like building the interpretation centre, zoo hospital, entrance plaza, heritage restoration and boundary wall apart from the procurement of animals.

THE ASIAN AGE