Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 15 (PTI) A pair of zebras will soon arrive at the Thiruvananthapuram zoo from the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Vantara, in Gujarat, officials said on Saturday.
A statement from the office of Museum and Zoo Department Minister O J Janish said arrangements to bring the zebras to the zoo had been completed.
The zebras, aged three and five, are being brought to Thiruvananthapuram nine years after the zoo last housed a zebra, a statement said.
According to officials, a zebra named Seetha, which was brought to the zoo from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, Chennai, in April 2002, died of old age in 2017, after which the zoo had no zebras.
Zoo veterinary surgeon Dr Nikesh Kiran examined the zebras and certified them fit for transportation, officials said.
The zebras will travel to Thiruvananthapuram by road in a specially prepared animal ambulance, accompanied by a team led by a veterinary surgeon. The journey is expected to take around three days.
In exchange for the zebras, the Thiruvananthapuram zoo will provide Vantara with a male lion-tailed macaque and a king cobra, the statement said.
Zoo Director Manjuladevi said it was a matter of great happiness that zebras were returning to the zoo after several years and that their presence during the Onam season would be a special attraction for visitors.
Arrangements are being made under the supervision of Zoo Superintendent T V Anil Kumar.
Officials said efforts were underway to ensure that visitors could see the zebras during the Onam holidays. PTI TBA TBA SSK
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