Bhubaneswar: As part of the approved animal exchange programme, a pair of giraffes was brought to Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar from Zoological Garden, Alipore, Kolkata.

For long, Nandankanan had only one female Giraffe,( Khusi) and attempts were on to allow socialising the single Giraffe with other Giraffes.

Khusi was brought from Patna Zoo in the year 2012. Before this one attempt was made in 2008 to bring a giraffe from Alipore Zoo, but it died en route because of electrocution. Another attempt to bring giraffes was made in 2016. This time the male Giraffe successfully landed at Nandankanan but died after 6 days due to Theileriosis.

Since a sizeable population of Giraffes is there only in very limited Zoos within India, getting the species was a challenge.

PCCF(WL) Odisha & Nandankanan authority had discussions with Mysore, Patna & Alipore Zoo, to get Giraffes in exchange programmes. Finally, after getting consent from Alipore Zoo, the proposal was submitted to CZA, and approval was received on 09.08.2024.

Since bringing of Giraffe by road is a difficult task, a lot of precautions have been taken by Nandankanan authority to execute this task.

1. The Nandankanan team conducted a preliminary survey of the route and identified threat locations.

2. Designed the transportation plan including the low-bedded trailer and special crates to be used.

3. Made quarantine space for the Giraffes to be brought.

4. Coordinated transportation with the Collectors, SPs and DFOs en route.

A 10-member team headed by Dr Rasmi Ranjan Swain, ACF executed the operation.

Dr Sarat Kumar Sahu, BVO, Dr Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra, Biologist, Susanta Behera, FG, Saikh Samsudin, Trailokya Maharana, Attendant, and outsourced employees namely Lokanatha Gauda, Lakhmidhar Bhoi, Sunil Behera, Gyanaranjan Rout were there in the team.

The team started the journey with the Giraffes on 31.08.2024 night and reached Nandankanan Zoological Park after 25 hours. The consignment was 16.5 feet high from the ground and moved at an average speed of 25km per hour. At regular intervals both the Giraffes are inspected, and feed and water are provided.

Director, Alipore Zoo supported in coordinating with Collectors & SPs of West Bengal Part. He also provided one giraffe keeper and a concerned attendant to escort the Giraffe along with the Nandankanan team and stay at Nandankanan Zoo for a few days till the giraffes got acquainted with the new environment.

Collectors & SPs of Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack & Khurdha, DCP, Bhubaneswar, and DFOs of Baleswar, Bhadrak,& Cuttack supported the team en route.

Escort of the Police & Forest Department was ensured throughout the 25-hour arduous journey.

The local executive engineer, TPCODL was also performed. They facilitated the journey by disconnecting electricity from hang wires from Pitapalli to Nandankanan.

The team finally brought the Giraffes today at 11.50 pm
Male Giraffe is 1 Year 5 months old and the female Giraffe is 1 Year 1 month old. With this acquisition, the Giraffe count of Nandankanan increased to 3(1:2).