Exotic inmates to arrive in Tata zoo

Jamshedpur, May 24: The animal farm at the Jamshedpur-based Tata Steel Zoological Park is all set to receive some new guests.

In a recent move, the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) has given a nod to the zoo authorities in Jamshedpur to procure some exotic species of animals in exchange for some of the its animals from the Central Zoo in Guwahati.

“We had this in mind for quite sometime now. But no exchange or procurement of animals is possible without the final permission from the CZA. Now that we have received the nod, the new guests would arrive just after the summer season,” said M.S. Jain, director, Tata Steel Zoological Park.

The all-new animal entourage is scheduled to arrive before the monsoons.

For the first time, two leopards from Assam would come to Jamshedpur apart from a pair of hawk deer and barking deer. “We would be getting a pair each of three of these animals. In all probability, they should be here by June end,” said Jain.

Though the zoo already has a leopard, seeing a hawk deer and barking deer would be the first-of-its-kind experience for enthusiastic residents of the steel city. However, the city-based zoo would also have to part with some of its animals while procuring the new exotic members from Assam.

“We would be sending five black bucks as the species is not present at the Guwahati zoo and would be a novelty,” said Jain.

Though a tentative date at June end has been set for the transit of the ani- mals, the zoo authorities in Jamshedpur are also contemplating postponing the exchange of animals by a few months to avoid the bad weather during the monsoons.

“Since this time the transit would be from Assam, we are a little hesitant about the date as monsoons would be on in full swing in Assam and it’s not a short route,” added Jain.

Apart from that, the Tata Steel zoo authorities are also toying with the idea of introducing a few more amusement options at the park.

The final decision would only be taken by next week, said zoo authorities.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070525/asp/jamshedpur/story_7826710.asp