Zoo to get new arrivals

The Sri Jayachamarajendra Zoological Gardens popularly known as Mysuru zoo will soon receive many animals from various other zoos in India and one zoo in Sri Lanka. The animal exchange programme that has been put on hold following the outbreak of avian influenza or the bird flu has resumed as the Zoo has been declared bird flu-free. The Mysuru Zoo is celebrating its 125th anniversary next year and the new set of animals will be an added attraction, said Zoo Executive Director K. Kamala Karikalan. Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, she said that the Zoo will get 6 Green Anacondas (three male and three female) from the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka and in exchange, the Mysuru Zoo will give a pair of Black Bucks and Neelgai. “We will start the anniversary preparations in May this year and we will have all the new animals before that,” she said. Following the death of Asiatic Lion Shankar last year, the Zoo is getting Shourya, a male Asiatic Lion from Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden in Gujarat. Shourya will paired with Renitha, the lioness that has been brought from Rajkot Zoo. In exchange, a Himalayan Deer and a pair of Wolf will be given to Sakkarbaug Zoo. “We aim to step up captive breeding of Asiatic Lions soon after the young male’s arrival and a team of doctors will leave to Gujarat to check Shourya’s health and his mating capacity,” she said and added that once they receive a favourable report, Shourya will be transported in March. A Himalayan Bear from Shillong Zoo, a pair of Otters from Surat Zoo will also arrive after the formalities are cleared. The Vandalur Zoo in Chennai is exchanging a pair of Lion-tailed Macaques (Singaleeka), a highly endangered species, with the Mysuru Zoo and in exchange, Pheasant, a bird species and a pair of Four-Horned Deer will be given to Vandalur. “Rare snakes will be brought here from the Crocodile Park in Chennai. Visitors will get to see all the new collections during summer vacation since the animals will be put in quarantine soon after their arrival as per protocol,” she added.