The much-awaited gift from Sri Lanka’s Dehiwala Zoo, the green anacondas, will arrive in the City Zoo on Thursday. However, it might be another three months before public viewing is allowed as the predominantly aquatic snakes will need some time to get accustomed to Kerala’s climate.
To welcome them, the City Zoo authorities have quarantined an area with a swimming pool and two additional fans. The seven snakes, about one metre long and around 9 months old, have reached Chennai and will be transported by road.
During its lifespan of around ten years, an anaconda can grow to a length of 6 metres or more. ‘Tales of Giant Snakes’ by John Murphy and Robert Henderson has records of anacondas as long as 7.5 metres. The species is second only to the reticulated python in length, but because of their huge girth, they weigh a lot heavier. Usually female anacondas are larger than their male counterparts.
In the City Zoo, there will be six female snakes.
Several other additions are also planned based on the zoo’s master plan sanctioned in 2013. There are talks of a white tiger to be transported from the National Zoological Park in Delhi in exchange for a male jaguar.
Before April 25, four blue bulls (Nilgai), three barking deer, two painted storks, two red jungle fowls, two albino black bucks and two white ibises will be arriving. This is part of a deal inked by the zoo authorities here with the Delhi zoo. In exchange, the Delhi zoo will receive two ostrich, four brown fishing owls, three bonnet macaques, two black swans, two golden pheasants and three Brahminy kites.
The carriers that transport these animals and birds will ply only at night so that the animals are protected from the summer heat.
Upon arrival the animals and birds will receive special care before being taken off the quarantine area. This is because the delicate hearts of barking deer and albino black buck are known to suffer from post-travel palpitation.
The birds too need a nod from the zoo veterinarian before entering the exhibit area. However, unlike the anacondas, these animals will be ready for exhibition within a week or two of their arrival.
If you are a grown up with memories of the zoo, April end is a good time to revisit it.