The backroom boys

Experience the cultural growth and learning opportunities at Delhi's National Zoological Park, Nehru Planetarium, and National Rail Museum.

Growing up in the National Capital during the 2000s, most children would frequently visit the National Zoological Park, Nehru Planetarium and National Rail Museum for school picnics and weekend outings. These outings sparked learning experiences and cultural growth. Over the years, the three places have stood through Delhi’s progress. Making these visits a success, are the people who manage the locations, execute shows, play with the history of the institutions and take care of the animals. These important cogs in the system have worked for decades behind the scenes without recognition.  

Surendra Pal Singh head zookeeper and Ramkesh, assistant zookeeper start their day early; taking rounds of the zoo, greeting each animal in their respective enclosures to ensure they are ready for the thousands of visitors who flock to see them during the day.

One of the oldest employees of the National Zoological Park on Mathura Road, Singh has been working since 1993 in different sections including ticketing, veterinary, safety and animal care. His assistant, Ramkesh joined in 2005 and is a recipient of the “2023-Best Worker of the Year” award.

Both treat the zoo inmates as their own. “It is like caring for your children, you have to monitor what they eat, their mood , observe every tiny detail about them and be alert,” says Ramkesh.

“So many times, we notice visitors misbehaving with the animals, throwing things at them and it hurts us because they are our children”, adds Singh. 

Both the zookeepers were present when a man jumped into a white tiger’s cage in 2014 and died after being mauled by the animal. Ramkesh says he has seen the white tiger growing up in the Delhi zoo and fondly calls him Sundaram. He recalls that when the incident happened, he was afraid Sundaram would be put down; but after the tiger’s behaviour was monitored for few weeks, the zoo officials decided against it.. 

Both the zookeepers recall several incidents and say it is all a part of their job and they wish to continue to work and care for the animals. .