Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 6: Pilikula Zoo has received a six-year-old Asiatic male lion, a wolf, two gharial crocodiles, and rare birds, including two silver pheasants and two yellow-golden pheasants, from Nandan Kanan Zoo in Orissa as part of an animal exchange programme, with permission from the Central Zoo Authority.

In exchange, Pilikula Zoo will provide four dholes (wild dogs), four reticulated pythons, two brahminy kites, three Asian palm civets, and two large egrets to Nandan Kanan Zoo.

Animal exchanges are conducted to provide companions for animals in the zoo and maintain a pure bloodline. Pilikula currently houses three lions, and the new male Asiatic lion has been brought as a companion. Due to the scarcity of male Asiatic lions in Indian zoos, this animal was procured from Nandan Kanan Zoo.

Two veterinary doctors and eight animal handlers from Nandan Kanan Zoo have arrived in Mangaluru to assist with the care of the newly received animals. The responsibility of the animal exchange is shared equally between both zoos.

Pilikula Zoo is home to more than 1,200 animals, birds, and reptiles and is one of the 18 largest zoos in India.

Agreements are underway for animal and bird exchanges with Chattabir Zoo in Punjab, Byculla Zoo in Mumbai, and the Crocodile Bank in Chennai. Efforts are being made to bring anaconda reptiles and Humboldt penguins to Pilikula. Special fencing is required to house Humboldt penguins, which involves significant costs. Some donors have offered to cover these expenses.

Having rare birds and animals in the zoo is expected to increase Pilikula's revenue significantly and enable the zoo to operate independently.

The newly arrived animals, reptiles, and birds will be kept in the quarantine ward for 15 days, during which they will receive necessary vaccinations and medical treatment to acclimate them to the zoo’s conditions. Afterward, they will be displayed for public viewing.

For the first time in Pilikula Zoo’s history, animals have been brought from Nandan Kanan Zoo, which is approximately 2,000 km away from Mangaluru. This marks a new record, surpassing the previous record of bringing animals from Udaipur Zoo in Rajasthan, which is 1,700 km away.