Bhubaneswar: PCCF Wildlife Susanta Nanda is happy as Nandankanan is executing Fourth Animal Exchange Program during this Fiscal.
Shri Nanda, who chalked a Master Plan for Nandan Kanan has been in connect with several other leading Zoos in the country and Exchange Program is executed with speed and care.
Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar is all set to welcome Great White pelican, Himalayan griffin vulture and Gangetic Softshell turtle from Assam under animal exchange programme.
The animals will be brought from Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, Guwahati, Forest Department officials said.
A team of Forest Officials and Veterinary doctors began their visit to Assam zoo to receive the animals this morning. It is expected that these animals shall be brought to Nandankanan by March 21.
The five member team includes Dr T. Vikram, Veterinary surgeon, Arup Kumar Rout, Forester, Brajakishore Sahoo, Animal Keeper, Sapan Kumar Das (Outsourced Staff), Umesh Kumar Bhoi (Outsourced staff).
As approved by Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi, Nandankanan Zoological Park will bring two Gangetic Softshell turtles, two Great White pelican, two Himalayan griffin vulture, two Greater Adjutant stork from the Assam State Zoo and Botanical garden, Guwahati.
This will add two new species to animal collection (greater adjutant stork and Himalayan griffin vulture). Gangetic soft shell turtle is bringing to pair the existing single one, Zoo officials said.
To infuse new bloodline to the existing stock, bringing a great white pelican will be helpful, they said.
In exchange Nandankanan will give some of its surplus animals to Assam zoo which includes two Painted stork, one Mandarin duck, two Spot billed pelican, two Blackbucks, 10 Back headed ibis.
This is the fourth animal exchange programme Nandankanan is executing this financial year, for improving the animal stock as per the approved master plan, they informed.
