VISAKHAPATNAM : EXCITEMENT was palpable among the visitors of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) on Wednesday. They were eagerly waiting to hear the names of the three gaurs born in the zoo.
The authorities earlier had placed boxes at the zoo inviting suggestions from the citizens to name the animals. The names were picked by Chal Chal Gurram-fame Bolisetty Sailesh through a lucky draw.
The gaurs were named Hansika, Giri and Vijay.
Hansika is six months old, Giri eight months and Vijay nine months old. While the visitors started calling the baby gaurs after their names, Hansika started playing in the enclosure and Giri and Vijay flanked their mother standing as if posing for the pictures for the visitors.
“Of their parents Veer and Pinky, Veer was brought from Bondla Zoo in Goa three years ago. After 12 months the baby gaurs will be separated from the mother. In the captivity they can live for 40 years,” says Zoo Curator B Vijay Kumar. “Gaur is the state animal of Goa, known for its strength. We brought Veer from Goa to sustain the bison population,” he added.
New kids on the block
Meanwhile, three chimpanzees, one male and two females from Israel Primitive Sanctuary are set to arrive in the Vizag Zoo by June 25. They will be quarantined for 30 days.
By the time the chimps arrive the weather will be conducive to adapt themselves to the new ambience. On the delay in the arrival of pygmy hippo from Sri Lanka, the curator said, “The pygmy hippos cannot be released from Colombo unless they are vaccinated and they are unable to get the required vaccines in their country.”
Housing centre planned for wild dogs
After successful in-breeding of wild dogs in the zoo, its population increased from two to 33. The IGZP was selected by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for the Wild Dogs Captivity Project. An additional housing centre is planned in the IGZP at a cost of `15 lakh. “As of now, the Zoo can accommodate 45-50 wild dogs. With the extension the Zoo can accommodate a total of 80 dogs. Then they will be released into the Eastern Ghats,” said Vijay Kumar.
