BALLARI: In keeping with the trend of turning one’s birthday into a special day not just for oneself but for others too, a 19-year-old BCA student at a Mysuru-based college on Wednesday adopted a spotted deer at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park in Kamalapur in Ballari district.
Nithin, who turned 19 on Wednesday, shelled out the pocket money he had accumulated – a sum of Rs 7,500 – to adopt the spotted deer for one year.
His gesture earned him praise from the authorities at the zoo, who were only too pleased with the enthusiasm for conservation in one so young.
Generosity, however, comes naturally to Nitin.
If it was the adoption of an animal to mark his special day this year, he has celebrated his birthdays at an orphanage in Hosapete in the past.
“In fact, my parents celebrate their wedding anniversary at the orphanage too,” Nithin told TOI.
Nithin’s father V Narayan is a police inspector at the Tungabhadra Dam, while his mother B Rani is a homemaker.
It was at the instance of his father, Narayan, who is also an amateur wildlife photographer, that Nithin decided to adopt a spotted deer for his 19th birthday.
Executive Director of the Kamalapur zoo MN Kiran Kumar said, “Many students and concerned citizens are coming forward to adopt animals at the park in the past year.
We will display the names of those who have adopted animals outside the respective enclosure.
Citizens can choose to complete the process online.
We are even sending the certificate confirming the adoption online.
Students usually do not spent more than Rs1,000 on adopting animals but Nithin has handed over a cheque for Rs 7,500, which is remarkable.” Range forest officer at the park Ramesh Ganiger, lauding Nithin’s generous gesture, observed that even people from the lower middle classes were volunteering to adopt animals at the zoo.
“People can inquire about adoption online or approach the officials at the park in person.
In addition to adoption, people can donate anywhere between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh to feed the animals.
Price for adoption ranges between Rs1,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh depending on the animal,” he said.