Divyansh, a student from Ramjas School RK Puram said, he was happy to be part of a tiger’s birthday! Yes, Vijay, the biggest tourist attraction at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi is back in news! The zoo authorities invited students from Delhi schools to celebrate the birthday of Vijay, who turns 10 on 21 July 2017.
However, his birthday was celebrated a day prior since the zoo remains closed on Fridays (Oops... no Friday Night Party!).
In The Quint was also part of the birthday party where school kids showed their love for Vijay at National Zoological Park, New Delhi.
In an interview with The Quint, Director Renu Singh said: “Vijay is one of our most favourites and is visitors’ biggest attraction. We decided to start this awareness campaign and zoo education drive with ‘Walk for Vijay’, where school students were invited. The event included a cake-cutting ceremony, walk across the zoo for students with a guide, orientation on zoo education and finally a round of quiz to conclude Vijay’s grand birthday celebrations. One of its kind, No?
Vijay’s Profile at a Glance!
Father’s Name: Lakshman
Mother’s Name: Yamuna
Wife’s Name: Kalpana
Cubs: 4 (Neeta, Meeta, Reeta and Tipu)
DOB: 21 July 2007
Caretaker: Manoj
Birth Place: National Zoological Park, Delhi
Vijay grabbed headlines in 2014 when he mauled a 22-year-old man, who had accidentally fallen into its pit, with the video going viral.
But post the heart wrenching accident, the zoo authorities claimed to have strengthened the security and widen the boundaries for visitors. But Vijay turned a major attraction since then which eventually boosted the footfall of the zoo in the last three years. Renu decided to flag off the initiative by celebrating birthdays of some animals in the zoo to spread awareness among the next-gen about animal habitats, diversity and food habits. “The next birthday in line will be of a 57-year-old chimpanzee named Rita, who happens to be the oldest member of the zoo” she added.
Spread over close to 710 acres and with a wide variety of more than 2,500 birds and animals, the Delhi Zoo authorities plan to organise more such birthday parties. RSVPs are welcome!
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