New Delhi, Jan. 26 -- A wildlife activist has written to Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav flagging multiple irregularities in the functioning of the Delhi Zoo, calling for an immediate independent inquiry.

This comes just weeks after the National Zoo Workers' Union alleged that a jackal, who escaped from and hid in a burrow in the Himalayan Black Bear's enclosure, had been burnt alive as staff tried to catch it. While the zoo had denied this, an investigation into the allegations is on and a report is expected next week.

In a letter, dated January 24, Ajay Dubey alleged illegal felling of nearly 100 trees last year, black marketing of tickets, and the deployment of multi-tasking staff (MTS) in animal enclosures without requisi...