Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden will have special guests from Israel and the Czech Republic soon. Assam forest and environment minister Parimal Suklabaidya said that four zebras from Israel would be brought to the zoo in exchange for two black panthers following an MoU with Reliance.
Apart from that, four white-winged wood ducks will arrive from the Czech Republic. Interestingly, it is the state bird of Assam.
“The enclosures for the new inmates are almost ready,” the minister was quoted as saying by an official press statement.
He also said that two black panther cubs were born on June 11 with another two cubs born one and a half months ago during the pandemic times.
Visited @assamzoo to enquire about health condition of zookeepers and animals during the COVID-19 situation on Friday. Elated to know that the animals are not infected by the disease and one of the zookeepers afflicted with the disease is recuperating.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/DvmulDCyai
— Parimal Suklabaidya (@ParimalSuklaba1) June 11, 2021
Suklabaidya said fresh grass is being grown for the herbivores in the hydroponic system within a span of seven days. Rhinos, deer, nilgai and blackbucks are being fed daily with fresh grass grown in the hydroponic enclosure.
The minister said though the cash registers have not been tinkling due to no visitors since April, there are no immediate plans to open the zoo in the greater interest of the animals as well as zookeepers.
“There are no immediate plans to open the zoo till the COVID situation returns to normal,” he added.
Divisional forest officer of Zoo Tejas Mariswamy said all persons authorised to enter state zoo premises have to obtain prior permission from him and their body temperature is being checked at the main gate through the thermal gun.