People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has sent an urgent letter to the Central Zoo Authority, asking them to follow the progressive steps of the Ministry of Health and Family welfare and ban smoking in Zoos.

During visits to the zoo PETA Investigators have found that at times visitors to the zoo exhale smoke on the face of the animal deliberately. PETA in its letter says that “passive smoking” is injurious to the animal’s health too.

“The Central Zoo Authority must follow the progressive steps of the health ministry and ban smoking in zoos” PETA India’s Chief Functionary Anuradha Sawhney “Animals who are incarcerated in the zoos suffer equally due to passive smoking”.

A copy of the letter written to the Central Zoo Authority follows.

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