Even if the whole country came to a stop, the Zoo kept running. But did the tigers really get out as claimed by the social media? Mannat Shrestha finds out

As soon as the ground stopped shaking, the walls of the social media were filled with all kinds of baseless updates. Amongst the many a few claimed that the animals from the zoo were out and about. This created more confusion in the minds of the already traumatised citizens.

A 34-year-old home-maker Upasana Shrestha from Jawlakhel says, “I got a call from my relatives who told me the tiger was lose around Jawlakhel area. I was scared to stay out but at the same time I was scared to go in.”

But where did the commotion originate? — The Central Zoo of Nepal itself.

Maiya Thapa, Zoo Keeper of Section 1, who lost her maternal house during the earthquake shares some quick facts. She says that she was near the statue when the incident took place. As she tried to evacuate the visitors for their safety, a few refused saying that they wanted to stay as they had paid Rs 100 entry fee. She first tried convincing them by telling them that she would let them in for free some other day, but as they were stubborn with their decision, Thapa had no choice but to scare them to leave.

“I take the blame,” she says with a smile. “It had to be done for their safety. The elephant had already freed itself from its chain, and the cages were rattling. Although there was very less chance that the animals would escape, we did not want to risk any lives. I just said that the tigers have escaped their confines to make people to leave through the gate.”

Radha Krisha Ghatri, a Vet Staff, reveals more weight was added to the rumour when people saw the empty cage of the tiger. “One tiger had just been shifted to a new cage that day and seeing the empty cage made it more believable,” he says.

The Central Zoo has been sheltering 814 animals of 114 species. The staff have been coming to look after the animals regularly despite the devastation.

“The staff have been on duty. Even those who have lost their homes are more concerned about the the animals,” says Ghatri. The welfare of the animals has not been compromised. Ghatri says, “We have three suppliers — one provides grains for the animals, one meat and fish and another gets fruits and vegetables. The suppliers need to provide the food no matter what. Also, the Vet team is available 24x7.”

Maiya Kapali, nursery staff, also known as the mother of the zoo, lives in Toka and has been affected by the earthquake. She shares that her children are on their own at home but she comes to the zoo to take care of the infant animals. “They are helpless and need to be handled with care, I cannot let them just be,” she says.