Happy feat: Humboldt penguins help Mumbai’s Byculla zoo earn ₹10.57 crore | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Happy feat: Humboldt penguins help Mumbai’s Byculla zoo earn 10.57 crore

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | ByMehul R Thakkar, Mumbai
Aug 07, 2019 09:37 AM IST

As part of its revamp project, the Byculla Zoo bought eight penguins from Seoul in South Korea on July 26, 2016, at the cost of ₹45 crore.

Two years after the Humboldt penguins were put up for display at the Byculla Zoo, the number of visitors has crossed the 25-lakh mark, generating a revenue of 10.57 crore.

Seven penguins – Bubble, Mr Molt, Donald, Daisy, Popeye, Olive and Flipper – were put up for public display in March 2017.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)
Seven penguins – Bubble, Mr Molt, Donald, Daisy, Popeye, Olive and Flipper – were put up for public display in March 2017.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

As part of its revamp project, the Byculla Zoo, also known as the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, bought eight penguins from Seoul in South Korea on July 26, 2016, at the cost of 45 crore.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

However, on October 23, 2016, one of the penguins named Dory died owing to bacterial infection, which led to protests by political parties and activists.

The seven penguins – Bubble, Mr Molt, Donald, Daisy, Popeye, Olive and Flipper – were put up for public display in March 2017.

According to data from the zoo, between April 2017 and July 2019, it saw around 25,46,401 visitors which helped them earn 10.57 crore.

Between April 2017 and March 2018, the penguins witnessed around 9.28 lakh visitors, helping generate a revenue 3.78 crore for the zoo.

Humboldt Penguins swim in their enclosure at the Byculla zoo in Mumbai. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)
Humboldt Penguins swim in their enclosure at the Byculla zoo in Mumbai. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

Meanwhile, the number of visitors and amount generated between April 2018 and March 2019 saw a marginal increase, with 12.53 lakh visitors from which the zoo earned 5.17 crore.

Further, between April and June this year, there were 1 lakh visitors on an average every month, generating a revenue of around 1.50 crore.

However, zoo authorities said the number of visitors has gone down drastically in July, as it saw a mere 34,400 visitors and earned over 15.67 lakh.

Sanjay Tripathi, director of the zoo said, “We are getting good number of visitors [daily]. They will increase once we bring in more animals. As part of the zoo revamp plan, we are also looking to expand to Aarey Colony which is closer to the suburbs. This will help get more visitors.”

The zoo authorities have already brought jackals, swamp deer and leopard.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On