Nestled amidst a canopy of greens, abounding in shade-giving trees, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park has been one of the top picnic spots this summer. The zoo registered a whopping rise of 40 per cent in its total revenue for the month of May that was Rs.4.5 lakhs. Added attractions like aquarium, a new cafeteria and many activities for children, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park saw a beeline of tourists and picnickers during this summer.
“This season the response has been very good.
We want to enhance this experience for the visitors by bringing in rare and exotic animals and improve the collections and also provide wholesome entertainment in the form of educational activities and other features,” zoo curator G. Ramalingam told The Hindu . Vizag zoo will be getting a jaguar, three iguanas, love birds and other species of exotic birds from the Hyderabad zoo shortly. The iguanas will be the first of its kind in Vizag zoo. This species of lizard is a native of Central and South America having a distinct variety of colourful scales in the body and excellent vision.
Vizag zoo will get a big fillip if the plans to bring Asiatic cheetahs from zoos in Saudi Arabia get finalised. “Negotiations are on with zoos in UAE and Abu Dhabi and also with South African zoos for African cheetahs.
The process may take some time,” curator Ramalingam added.
Among the other plans, the zoo plans to get Nilgai and porcupine from Tirupati zoo and thamin deer from Delhi zoo, shortly. For the newly-opened aquarium, new marine fish species will be included shortly.
