Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan visited the old Islamabad Zoo to discuss establishing a virtual zoo at the site. As per the order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the zoo was closed in December 2020.
Ms. Khan updated the participants about the objective which is to create an atmosphere where people of Islamabad can get benefit from the site. The plan envisages a visual gallery, animatronic models of animals, and informative 3D shows for appealing to the public and creating awareness about the wildlife and the need to preserve their freedom.
Read more: Capital’s Marghazar Zoo to be converted into wildlife conservation center
One-third of the land will be utilized as a rescue and rehabilitation center for animals. Earlier, two rare leopard cats, transported from Karachi, were sent to a private clinic for treatment and then released into Margalla Hills last month.
Moreover, it was also planned that about two-thirds of the zoo land will be assigned for public entertainment on which documentaries and high-tech movies will be played and also a virtual show will be organized in the evening on a daily basis.
Ms. Khan said it was decided that area landscaping will be done.
“As 25 acres are too much for the rescue and rehabilitation clinic, it has been decided to use two-thirds of the land for public use and one-third for the clinic. We will treat injured animals and release them into the wild. We have two bears but they cannot be released in the wild as one of them is deprived of ears and the second one lacks teeth,” she said.
Responding to a query, she expressed the hope that the development will be completed during the current year as soon PC-I of the project will be concluded.
“As we cannot put animals on display, there will be a digital display of animals so that our children could have knowledge of them. IWMB member Imrana Tiwana is also working on it. We have been collaborating with the CDA and soon PC-I will be approved,” Ms. Khan said.
