Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in Odisha is set to get at least 15 new species of animals under exchange programme.
Sources said the acquisition of new animals by Nandankanan will be made following approval granted by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
As part of the process to pave way for the acquisition and transfer of animals as per CZA approval, a nine-member team of Nandankanan Zoo led by ACF (SBG) Sudipta Kumar Panda visited Pilikula Zoological Park at Mangaluru in Karnataka.
Under the exchange programme, the Nandankanan Zoo authorities will hand over Golden pheasant (1:1), Silver pheasant (1:1), Asiatic lion (1:0), gharial (1:1) and Indian grey wolf (1:0) to Pilikula Zoo.
In exchange, Nandankanan will receive Reticulated python, Wild Dog, Brahminy kite, Common palm civet, and Large egret from Pilikula Zoo
This exchange programme will help in pairing of wild dog, Brahminy kite and large egret and new bloodline infusion to other species.
The animal exchange programme will be completed by November 10, the sources added.