Hyderabad: Cops shoo away kids at zoo

HYDERABAD: The zoo is a popular recreational spot for children, especially on Children’s Day. Every year, children are granted free entry to the zoo on November 14. 

This year, the nearly 8,000 children who showed up at Nehru Zoological Park to celebrate Children’s Day were in for a rude shock when the security staff at the main gate demanded entry fees and then proceeded to shoo them away with sticks.

The official spokesperson of the zoo said, “Many children tried entering through the back gate without buying a ticket. I believe they came empty-handed because they were expecting free entry, and they did not want to leave. Many children tried to enter without a ticket through the front gate as well. They began pleading with the ticket officials and so our security staff chased them away.”

Zoo officials say that no injury was reported, however, a lot of children had to return disappointed after being denied entry into the zoo. The ticket fee was Rs 20.

Children under the age of 12 were granted free entry to the Indira Gandhi Zoo in Vizag on the occasion of Children’s Day.