Actor Sivakarthikeyan Tuesday adopted a white tigress, named Anu, at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP). He has adopted the animal for a period of six months and will spend close to Rs 2.12 lakh in the time.
He will have the privilege of feeding the animal. He handed over a signed letter Tuesday to Vandalur zoo director S Yuvaraj, expressing his desire to adopt Anu.
“It is the responsibility of every citizen to protect animals that are facing threats. So, the public should come forward to adopt one of the 174 species housed in the zoo,” he said.
An official release from the zoo said anyone could adopt animals under the animal adoption programme. “Adopting an animal or a bird or a reptile will provide the donor a direct opportunity to participate in the day-to-day affairs of the zoo – cleaning enclosures and feeding the animals,” the release added.
The ‘Adopt an Animal’ programme was launched in 2009. People can adopt animals, birds and reptiles by paying a day’s feeding charges. The amount varies from animal to animal. For example, the zoo spends Rs 1,196 per day for a lion or a tiger.
Anu – The tiger:
Anu was brought to AAZP from the New Delhi zoo in 2006. She gave birth to three cubs in March 2009 which is recorded as the first successful captive breeding of white tigers in Vandalur zoo.
Her cubs Akansha and Narmadha now have their own families in the tiger quarter of the zoo.