The Nehru Zoological Park in the city would soon get a pair each of African Cheetahs and lions.
Saudi Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Mohammad Al Saud had promised to gift these animals to the Nehru zoo during his visit in connection with the recently-held CoP-11. Following this, officials from Saudi Arabia sent a message a few days ago to the zoo authorities, requesting them to complete formalities for handing over the animals.
“We will discuss the issue during the Central Zoo Authority meeting scheduled for Friday and chalk out an action plan to bring them within three months,” P. Mallikarjuna Rao, Director of Zoological Parks, said on Thursday.
Minister for Forests S. Vijayaramaraju on Thursday assured necessary steps for bringing these animals to the zoo at the earliest.
Cubs get new enclosure
Mr. Vijayaramaraju participated as a chief guest at the World Forestry Day celebrations at the zoo and released two white tiger cubs to a separate enclosure. Born in October last year, the male cubs have been named Kiran and Sharan.
More cats coming
In addition to these two cubs, the Minister inaugurated separate enclosures for small cats. The new enclosure will house jungle cat, leopard cat and jungle cat kitten. Efforts were on to acquire the Rusty-spotted cat and the Fishing cat.
The minister reopened the 50-year-old museum consisting of taxidermy models of tiger, gaur, panther and other exhibits and later presented awards to the State winners at the 20 National Forests Sports Meet-2013.
