New arrivals at SV Zoo Park in Tirupati

TIRUPATI: Visitors to Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati, will now be able to see new species from the animal kingdom at close quarters. This follows a successful animal exchange programme between the SV zoo and Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam.

The new arrivals in Tirupati include a pair of striped hyenas, two female jackals, one male Indian Gaur, and five birds – golden pheasant, Lady Amherst's pheasant, ring-necked pheasant, head chestnut sand grouse and silver pheasant.

SV zoo staff, who had recently rescued a pair of great Indian hornbills, put them for display in a special enclosure. In addition, the zoo has reopened the star tortoise enclosure after 15 years.

SVZP curator Hima Sailaja told Deccan Chronicle that in exchange for what they have got, they gave to Vizag zoo a pair of wild dogs, chowsinghas, a grey jungle fowl and one female Indian Gaur.

“The hyenas we received are 2 years to 3 years’ old. The Indian gaur is four years’ old, while the two female jackals are 2–2.5 years’ old. The Indian Gaur and jackals are undergoing their quarantine. They will be put on display soon after they adjust to the zoo atmosphere,” said SV zoo education officer Deepak.

With the addition of new attractions, population of carnivores at the Tirupati zoo, spread over 5,532 acres, has crossed 1,100 animals of nearly 84 species.

The zoo authorities have submitted proposals to procure a Himalayan black bear and other animals from other zoological parks under the animal exchange programme. Their approval is pending from authorities concerned.