Bhubaneswar: An Animal Exchange Programme has successfully been executed between Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar and Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Ranchi. Under this programme, Nandankanan welcomed 18 new guests today.

The exchange was previously approved by the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi.

Accordingly, the Nandankanan Zoo authorities transferred a Royal Bengal Tiger, four Mouse Deer, four Common Palm Civet, two Indian Fox, two Grey Pelican, 20 Night Heron, and 20 Black-Headed Ibis to Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park.

In return, a female Royal Bengal Tiger (melanistic), a female Royal Bengal Tiger (normal but carrier of Pseudo-melanism gene), three male & a female Striped Hyena, five male & five female Indian Porcupine, and two male Nilgai have been brought to Nandankanan from Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park.

“This exchange programme enhanced Nandankanan Zoological Park's animal collection by introducing new bloodlines for Royal Bengal Tiger, Striped Hyena, Indian Porcupine, and Nilgai,” a spokesperson of Nandankanan Zoo expressed.

A team comprising Nutan Kumar Hembram (ACF, I/c Sanctuary Management Range), Dr. Santosh Kumar Gupta (veterinary officer), Galhai Murmu (forester), Pratap Kumar Khuntia (forest guard), Prafulla Bag (animal keeper), and outsourced personnel Ranjit Behera, Kalu Purty, Gangadhar Hansda, and Prakash Mandal executed the exchange programme.