THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: R. Deepu, a keeper at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, is making a beeline to Riyadh Zoo in Saudi Arabia as an animal keeper on a salary of 2000 Riyal (Rs 34, 000 plus). Already four keepers from the city zoo had joined zoos in Saudi Arabia and Fujairah in UAE recently seeking better lives.
Deepu began his stint as a daily wager mahout in 2001 to take care of Maheshwari, the 88-year-old elephant which breathed its last on July 2017. Four years ago, Vellayani native Deepu was made a permanent keeper where currently he is taking care of 10 Liontailed Macaques and three Nilgiri Langurs. Deepu comes from a poor family background.
His mother, S. Sukumari is a lottery seller in front of the Museum and Zoo whereas his father, R. Ravi Kumar, was a daily wager who died four years ago.
"I have got huge debts to repay. So when the opportunity to work in Riyadh Zoo came I immediately grabbed it. I will be leaving for Riyadh within 15 days where they have offered me to put in charge of the three African elephants there", said Deepu who lives in a rented home. 32-year-old Deepu is elated because he will get overtime wages as well along with free transportation, accommodation, food, 21 days annual leave with up and down air tickets. Krishna Kumar and S. Ajithan, two former daily wagers at the city zoo are already working in Riyadh Zoo as animal keepers.
Another zoo keeper, Anil Kumar was the first keeper to leave for Fujairah Zoo who kicked off the trend. "There were no middlemen involved in recruiting, so these animal keepers did not have to pay commission towards agents. The salary they earn can be considered as savings. Moreover, they will be paid for overtime", said a zoo official.
