Chennai: Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi has adopted two white tigers from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai’s Vandalur. The actor has handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the authorities for the welfare of the animals on World Wildlife Day on Sunday.

The zoo released a press statement that said Vijay has paid Rs 5 lakh towards the cost of maintaining and feeding the tigers for six months.

Addressing the media, the actor urged public to visit the zoo and contribute in their own way.

Vijay said that there are many animals in the zoo than there are in the forests. “People can keep coming back with their children. It’s fun. People need not donate Rs 5 lakh, you can donate as much as you can,” said Vijay.

Deputy director of the zoo, Sudha Raman told the media that Vijay’s was the first adoption of the year.

According to the animal adoption programme of the zoo, launched in 2009, the members of the public can adopt any animal by paying for their daily feeding charges.

According to the zoo authorities, over 150 individuals, corporate companies, government departments and banks have adopted animals in the past 10 years.