The National Zoological Park, better known as Delhi zoo, has not had a single giraffe for the last four years. The zoo authorities have now written to three zoos in Thailand for the animal through an exchange programme.
Thailand has 24 giraffes in seven of its zoos and the NZP has asked for five of them, an official privy to the development said.
In 2015, Delhi zoo’s last giraffe, eight-year-old Ankit, died after suffering a heart attack and kidney failure.
Since then multiple attempts have been made for the zoo to acquire a giraffe. “In the past two years since I took charge, we have written to several other zoos for giraffes in exchange programmes,” NZP director Renu Singh told The Hindu . Earlier this month, they wrote to zoos in Mysuru and Patna for giraffes and are still awaiting their response.
“To maintain the animal collection and fulfil the objective of imparting education, I hereby propose an animal exchange programme with your esteemed institute,” read Ms. Singh’s letters sent to the three zoos in Thailand on Tuesday. The letters have been sent along with a list of Delhi zoo’s surplus animals, including blackbucks and spotted deer.
“We have an enclosure ready for the giraffes. It has been cleaned and prepared,” the zoo director said.
