Animal adoption scheme initiated by Rajiv Gandhi Zoo gets animal lovers excited; sponsors will contribute to animals' food, upkeep Nikhil Naidu (26), an avid animal lover, is excited these days. A share-broker by profession, Naidu plans to adopt a white tiger from the PMC Rajiv Gandhi Zoo. What's more, he is willing to fork out as much as Rs 45,000 per month to look after this endangered species. I am in consultation with my elder brother Pravin. We are positive about adopting the tiger and will do the required paper work once we get the final details from the zoo, he said. There are several like Naidu in the city who have shown an eagerness to adopt an animal in response to an adoption scheme initiated by the Rajiv Gandhi Zoo which starts from August 15.According to the scheme visitors can adopt an animal or bird of their choice and sponsor its food and upkeep for a stipulated period. It could be for a day, a week, a month or even a year. Kazvin Umrigar, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Zoo said, All the mammals, birds and reptiles are part of the adoption scheme and the brochures will be available to the public.Dr Ravindra Kulkarni (32) a cardiologist is in love with tortoises. I am ready to spend Rs 1.82 lakh a year and adopt a tortoise, he said.u00a0 Chief Garden Superintendent Naresh Zurmure said, The scheme was approved by the PMC general body and is ready to take off. Two corporates have made queries and six individuals have come forward. We have also received hundreds of phone calls about the scheme.The idea of animal adoption was formally announced by PMC Commissioner Mahesh Zagde when he tabled the draft budget of 2010-11 in the general body meeting. I am expecting that this idea will be supported by people from all walks of life, he said.Nikhil Dixit, a 27-year old young professional working with a multi-national company welcomed PMC's initiative. This is a good way of getting associated with the city zoo emotionally, he remarked.