The GB Pant high altitude zoo in Nainital is all set to welcome a pair of endangered species of Markhor on Wednesday. This wild species of the goat family, Markhor, is coming from the Darjeeling zoo. The Markhor, accompanied by a team of zoo officials and wildlife experts, has reached lucknow and is expected to reach the Nainital zoo on Wednesday, said Manoj Shah, Range Officer of the Nainital zoo while talking to The Pioneer.
Asked if there are any special arrangements made to accommodate the Markhor couple in Nainital’s climate, Shah maintained that since climatic conditions of Darjeeling are similar to that of Nainital, therefore there is no need to for any special arrangement. It may be recalled that after securing a pair of red panda from the Darjeeling zoo in November last, Nainital zoo has been trying to bring two endangered species of the goat family i.e. the Himalayan Tahr and Markhor.
The Markhor or Capra Falconeri is basically found in some parts of northern India like Jammu and Kashmir and adjacent areas. After this, efforts are on to acquire a pair of the Himalayan Tahr, said the officials concerned of the Nainital zoo . The Himalayan Tahr or Hemitragus Jemlahicus is basically found in upper Himalayan ranges. As the wildlife experts have maintained the Himalayan Tahr is an endangered species and its population is declining due to hunting and habitat loss.