UP: Crackdown on abattoirs leads to shortage of buffalo meat for zoo lions; mutton, chicken being served

With the newly elected Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath’s crackdown on slaughter houses in the state, the carnivorous species in Lucknow zoo and lion safari in Etawah are facing shortage of buffalo meat in their daily diet.

The species at Lucknow zoo and lion safari are now being served mutton and chicken instead of buffalo meat. Reportedly, it is not being going down well with the big cats. The authorities are also witnessing burden on their finances as buffalo meat is relatively cheap.

Deputy director of Etawah Lion Safari Anil Patel said that they were facing a problem arranging food for eight lions including cubs.

“About 50 kgs of meat is required daily and instead of the buffalo meat which is of their liking they are being provided mutton and chicken,” Patel said adding that arrangements are being made to rope in fresh suppliers soon.

Authorities at the Lucknow zoo said the supply of meat has been affected since the past two days and a decision has been taken to switch over to mutton and chicken until the issue gets resolved.

Also read: Mechanised slaughterhouses: UP meat producers to go court against Yogi Adityanath's policy against abattoirs

Zoo authorities said they require 235 kgs of buffalo meat every day, but the supply for the past two days is just 80 kgs.

Besides the lions and tigers they also have to feed panthers, hyenas, wolves and jackals, which are all dependent on buffalo meat.

As the meat delivery has been hit hard, the zoo administration is now looking for a different contractor who can source meat from authorised places outside the city to meet the demand.

Also read: UP CM Yogi Adityanath asks police officials to prepare action plan for closure of slaughter houses, orders blanket ban on cows smuggling

Etawah officials said that mutton and chicken was also not an adequate diet for the big cats due to low fat content.

The average consumption of a big cat is 8 to 10 kgs of buffalo meat daily which is hard to meet through mutton and chicken.