Expert from America praises Nat'l Park in MP

Bhopal, May 3 (UNI) Wildlife health management expert Dr Joshua Dean, who is here from America, today praised management of the city-based 445.21-hectare Van Vihar National Park where animals were given ''comparatively'' more space in enclosures.

''Animals' 'food attitude' needs to be understood as there is a need to provide wildlife with food that is both tasty and healthy,'' Dr Dean -- here for the past three days -- said while answering media queries after a workshop on wildlife protection, conservation and health management.

Among those present were another American expert Dr Scott Citino and Dr Pradeep Malik from Dehradun.

''If the required food material is not available in Indian markets then it should be imported so that aged animals lead a long and healthy life,'' Dr Dean said.

He and Dr Citino went round the Park for a couple of days and took stock of wildlife maintenance, medical facilities, food arrangements and management. The team stressed that a humane approach be adopted towards ailing animals and advocated more facilities at the Van Vihar veterinary hospital.

UNI AKS-AC 1953