Bhagwan Birsa Munda Biological Park has planned to exchange animals in the coming days to make the zoological garden more tourist-friendly.
Talking to The Pioneer, Zoo Director AK Patra said, “In the first phase we are trying to bring a hippopotamus (hippo) from Nandankanan zoo (Odisha). In the second phase we are planning to bring a zebra from Mysore Zoo and in the third phase which will be around next year, we are mulling to bring a Bengal tiger from Nandankanan zoo.”
“We have nearly failed to bring hyaena from Itanagar zoo in the recent time. Male hippo is unpaired in the zoo, so we are trying to bring a female hippo in the initial phase. In exchange we are giving Nandankanan a Himalayan bear and one snow bear. The hippo will be exchanged during the rainy season between July and August. In a month or two we will get the response. Then we will transfer the bear around August or September,” added Patra.
As of now the zoo authorities have applied to the Director of Nandankanan zoo and Central Zoo Authority for their clearance to bring hippo here. The clearance is awaited. Once the executive meeting is held at New Delhi then hopefully the officials are expected to get clearance.
Fortunately, the zoo is now blessed with a leopard cat which is endangered and Indian female bison is born which is in great demand. Patra said that these two animals would be beneficial for other animal exchanges.
Meanwhile, with the scorching heat reaching 40 degrees in the state capital, zoo authorities are serving summer facilities to the wild animals here. The summer care had begun from in April first week and will continue till June end.
Water content food items like watermelon and banana are being given to herbivores atleast twice a day except on Monday. On the other hand, special bathing arrangements are being made for big herbivores like elephants and huge carnivores like tigers and leopards are made. The birds are served glucose content water.
Besides these provisions, coolers and some heat stroke medicines are availed to the animals. As many as 50 zoo keepers are deployed for this job.