Exciting news for wildlife enthusiasts! Patna Zoo is gearing up to introduce a stunning white tigress along with sangai deer and rosy pelicans, thanks to a collaborative animal exchange with zoos in Delhi and Rohtak. This initiative not only fosters genetic diversity among species but also strengthens conservation efforts across the board.
Patna: The Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, popularly known as the Patna zoo, is gearing up to welcome an exciting array of endemic and exotic animals in the coming days as part of a major animal exchange programme.
Coordinated under the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA), the initiative involves swaps with the National Zoological Park in Delhi and Rohtak zoo in Haryana.The zoo officials said the primary goal is to enhance genetic diversity, prevent inbreeding and strengthen captive breeding populations for the better long-term conservation of wildlife species. Under the agreement with the Delhi zoo, Patna zoo is set to receive a white tigress, which is expected to become the star attraction among the visitors.
Other notable arrivals include six sangai deer (also known as Manipur brow-antlered deer — two males and four females), four white blackbucks (two males and two females), four rosy pelicans, four painted storks and a white heron.In exchange, Patna zoo will send four Indian antelopes to Delhi. It will also transfer a male tiger, four gharials, four grey wolves (two males and two females), two common snakes and two barn owls.
Separately, a pair of wolves will be sent to the Rohtak zoo in Haryana. In return, Patna Zoo will welcome two green iguanas and two silver pheasants, bolstering its reptile and bird exhibits.Patna zoo director Hemant Patil said white blackbucks and green iguana will be a new attraction for the visitors. “A separate enclosure adjacent to blackbucks has been made for the new inmates. Besides, a glass enclosure (20×30 feet) was prepared for an iguana at the reptile house long back,” he said.Iguana eats fruits, vegetables, leaves and insects. They need natural surroundings. Strong, well-fixed branches or logs, a fountain and rocks add a more naturalistic look to the enclosure, alongside some foliage have been prepared.“Both the animal exchange programmes have been approved recently, and swapping of animals will take place within the next 10-15 days. Our team will visit both the zoos and their teams will come to expedite the process.
We expect to get the new inmates by April 20. All the inmates will come by road. After 30 days of quarantine period, the public will be able to see them in their enclosures,” Patil said.Zoo officials emphasise that such exchanges are crucial for maintaining healthy bloodlines and complying with national wildlife management standards. The new arrivals are anticipated to boost visitor numbers substantially, making Patna zoo a more vibrant destination for visitors and wildlife enthusiasts.
