The much-awaited striped guests have finally arrived at the Bannerghatta Biological Park.On Thursday, the zoo received four zebras - two males and as many females - from the Zoological Centre, Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan (Safari), Israel, under the animal exchange programme approved by the Central Zoo Authority of India.
BBP director Santosh Kumar said the animals were around a year old and were healthy. However, they will be put under quarantine for 30 days before being released for public viewing. “So far, no animals have been given in exchange to Israel, but we are planning to give them our tiger or elephant, as there are many. We will wait and see what they require,” he said.
The park authorities have been making efforts for over two years to get zebras from South Africa and Europe after the death of the lone zebra in BBP, he said.
Kumar said a separate enclosure, approved by the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, would be constructed for the zebras at a cost of around Rs 30-50 lakh near the zoo entrance (behind the safari waiting area). These animals need big space, he added.
The park is also in talks with zoos to acquire white lions and an eland (also known as southern eland or eland antelope) from Germany.
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