Hyderabad ZOO adds mandrills in exchange programme

Hyderabad, Mar 26 (Maxim News): Nehru Zoological Park has added two male mandrills to its animal collection under an animal exchange programme.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Kumar released the animals into the primate enclosure on Wednesday.

Zoo officials said the mandrills are about 23 months old and are siblings. Authorities procured them from Jamshedpur Zoo as part of an exchange programme.

In return, the Hyderabad zoo provided a pair of African lions.

The zoo received the mandrills last month. Officials kept them in quarantine for 45 days as per protocol. After completing the quarantine period, staff shifted them to the public enclosure at the Primate Park.

Director of Zoo Parks Sunil S. Hiremath and Nehru Zoological Park Curator J. Vasantha attended the event along with zoo staff.

Speaking on the occasion, Vinay Kumar said the zoo has achieved good results in wildlife conservation and breeding programmes. He added that the Forest Department and zoo authorities are working to increase the number of indigenous and exotic species.

He also said the addition of mandrills is expected to attract more visitors during the summer season.

Zoo houses over 2,100 animals

Officials said Nehru Zoological Park currently houses about 196 species. The total animal population exceeds 2,100 individuals.

Several senior officers, veterinary doctors and zoo officials were also present during the release programme.  (Maxim News) 

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