Bhubaneswar: As per the approval of the Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi, an animal exchange programme between Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar, and Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ranchi has been executed successfully.
Under this programme, Nandankanan Zoological Park transferred the following animals to Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park:
1. Royal Bengal Tiger – 1
2. Mouse Deer -4
3. Common Palm Civet -4
4. Indian Fox _2
5. Grey Pelican -2
6. Night Heron -20
7. Black-Headed Ibis -20
In return, the following animals have been brought to Nandankanan from Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park.
1. Royal Bengal Tiger -female (Melanistic)
2. Royal Bengal Tiger female (Normal but carrier of Pseudo-melanism gene)-
3. Striped Hyena (3 male & 1 female)
4. Indian Porcupine (5 male & 5 female)
5. Nilgai (2 male)
This exchange will enhance Nandankanan Zoological Park’s animal collection by introducing new bloodlines for the Royal Bengal Tiger, Striped Hyena, Indian Porcupine, and Nilgai.
A team comprising Sri Nutan Kumar Hembram (ACF, I/c Sanctuary Management Range), Dr. Santosh Kumar Gupta (Veterinary Officer), Sri Galhai Murmu (Forester), Sri Pratap Kumar Khuntia (Forest Guard), Sri Prafulla Bag (Animal Keeper), and outsourced personnel Sri Ranjit Behera, Sri Kalu Purty, Sri Gangadhar Hansda, and Sri Prakash Mandal executed the programme.
