Sambalpur: Authorities of Hirakud Wildlife Division brought eight hog deer to Sambalpur Zoo on Tuesday from Nandankanan Zoo as a part of an ongoing Animal exchange program between both Zoo this year.
In this programme, eight Hog deer including four males and four females have arrived in the Sambalpur zoo.
Hog deer is mostly seen in Southeast Asia, the US & Australia. Commonly it is also known as Indochinese Hogdeer. In India, it is mostly seen in North India. Its name is “Hog”- deer because it runs with its head hung low. The body is solidly built with short legs which makes this animal interesting for viewers to watch.
Its skin colour changes with the season. Males have distinct antlers. Their call heard during dawn & dusk is a long Whistle. Its lifespan is about 20 years. It is a Schedule -3 animal in the Wildlife Protection Act 1972/ Endangered category.
In exchange for Hog deer, Nandankanan will take five Sambars including two males and three females from Sambalpur Zoo as Sambalpur Zoo has sufficient Sambars.
The hog deer will be kept under quarantine for one month, and after one month they will be displayed for visitors in Sambalpur Zoo.
Two months back in December, Hirakud Wildlife Division authorities brought eight blackbucks from Nandankanan which are in good health now and liked by visitors. Besides introducing Blackbucks, Hirakud Wildlife authorities have also added a Nocturnal House, open- Orchidarium, and Rose Garden during the 2023-24 financial year.
At present including Blackbuck and Hogdeer, Sambalpur Zoo has 18 varieties of animals( leopard, Bear, Sambar, Chowsingha, Deer, Python, Peacocks and other colourful birds).
According to the new Master plan of the zoo another 30 varieties of animals are to be introduced in the zoo in the coming years which include tigers, nilgai, bison, wolves, wilddogs etc.