Anna Konidala, wife of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, has adopted an Asiatic elephant and a Royal Bengal tiger at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) here for one year under its Animal Adoption Programme.
G Mangamma, curator of IGZP, also known as Vizag Zoo, said Anna Konidala adopted the two animals on her birthday by contributing a total of Rs 6.3 lakh towards their care and welfare for one year.
“IGZP welcomes Anna Konidala to the Zoo’s Animal Adoption Family and sincerely appreciates her valuable
contribution towards animal welfare, zoo management and wildlife conservation,” Mangamma said in a press release issued late on Friday.
According to the curator, Anna Konidala contributed Rs 4.3 lakh towards the adoption of the Asiatic elephant, India’s National Heritage Animal, and Rs 2 lakh towards the adoption of the Royal Bengal tiger, the country’s National Animal.
She said the contribution would support the animals’ care, nutrition, environmental enrichment and veterinary welfare while reinforcing the importance of wildlife conservation.