Supreme Court Upholds Zoo Buffalo Slaughter Practices in Gujarat

The Supreme Court refused to intervene in a case challenging buffalo slaughter at Gujarat zoos for feeding wild animals, stating it wasn't for commercial use. The petitioner argued for regulation citing legal precedents. The case highlights discrepancies in regulatory standards for zoos compared to slaughterhouses.

The Supreme Court, on Monday, upheld the Gujarat High Court's decision dismissing a PIL that challenged buffalo slaughter within zoo premises in Gujarat. A bench, including Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, emphasized that the practice did not serve any commercial or personal purpose but was solely to feed wild animals.

Senior advocate Nikhil Goel, representing the petitioner NGO 'Animal Welfare Foundation', asserted the necessity for regulation, even if the slaughter was non-commercial. He referenced the Supreme Court's 2017 judgment, pointing out the government's identified regulations for slaughter processes.

The case sheds light on regulatory gaps between traditional slaughterhouses and those practices inside zoos. The Gujarat zoos' unique practice of in-premises animal killing contrasts with other Indian zoos that procure processed meat through tenders. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court maintained that the handling fell within existing wildlife and zoo authorities' guidelines.