Mysore zoo to host exotic simians from Czech Republic

In return, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden in Mysore will give a family of endangered Spot Billed Pelican to Zoo Zlin Czech Republic under animal exchange programme.

Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has recently cleared a proposal to send ten-winged beauties--two chicks, five adult females and three males from the Mysore zoo to a foreign zoo.

Giving details, a CZA official said two pairs of adult Red Necked Wallaby, a pair of Ring Tailed Lemur, two male Capuchin Monkey and a male and two female Lesser Rhea besides two pairs of Military Macaw will add attraction to the Mysore zoo.

Confirming the go ahead to exchange the animals by the CZA, an official in the Mysore Zoo said, they will soon complete the basic formalities such as taking requisite permission to initiate the process.

"We have around 25 Pelicans breeded in the captive, of which we are sparing at least ten. We are keen to induct exotic species such as Ring Tailed Lemurs in our breeding programme as well for display purpose to attract visitors," he added.

The endangered Red-necked wallaby, an exotic animal is mostly grey with a rusty red colour on its neck, this is how it gets its name. The dark nose is marked by two light-cream stripes. The thick tail is longer than its body and is used as a prop when the animal sits or jumps, just like kangaroo.

"Readily identified by the long bushy tail, interesting facts about the Ring-tailed Lemur are that the tail contains 26 black-and-white rings, and that the tail always starts with a white ring and ends with a black ring.

"Although listed as a vulnerable species, the Ring-tailed Lemur is the most populous Lemur in captivity, partly due to the fact that they easily reproduce in captive conditions," the official said.

The Capuchin Monkey is a South American native with a white upper torso and head, with distinctive black arms and a black cap on the head.

The another guest that the zoo is eagerly looking forward to host is Lesser Rheas, a large flightless bird with gray-brown plumage, long legs and long necks is similar to an ostrich.

These birds can fly up to 1.7 meters and weigh up to 40 kg. One of their unique features is that unlike most birds, Rheas have only three toes.

The Military Macaw, which the

Mysore

zoo proposes to bring in from Czech zoo is a medium sized member of the macaw family. A predominantly green bird, it is found in the forests of

Mexico

and

South America

.

Spot-billed Pelican is relatively small with the typically large spotted bill that characterises this family of water birds.

Established way back in 1892, the zoo is internationally recognised for its unique achievements in breeding the largest mammals of South Asia and other species of both exotic and indigenous origin.

In the past, the zoo has received rosy pelicans, spoonbills, Alexandrian parakeets, rose ring parakeets, brownhead parakeets and silver pheasants in exchange for two hyenas and two black buck with Ahmedabad Zoo. Similarly, the zoo has acquired a couple of Chinkaras (Indian Gazelles) in exchange for two toddy cats with the

Lucknow

zoo.