BHUBANESWAR:The Nandankanan Zoological Park is set to get five Thamins, popularly known as Manipuri Dancing Deer, from the Delhi Zoo to boost its exhibit value.
As part of an exchange programme, approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the City Zoo will part with water monitor lizards, four-horn antelopes and white Ibis for the Thamins as well as a pair of bison from Chhatbir Zoo in Chandigarh.
The Nandankanan authorities are finalising the details to execute the exchange which may materialise only after the summer, sources said.
The Zoo, which has been adding new attractions to bring in more tourists, is keen on getting the Thamins. “We already have a pair of these brow-antlered deer but their breeding has been unsuccessful so far. With three females and two males from Delhi Zoo, we are hopeful of successful pairing in the future,” sources said.
Though the new exchanges have been cleared, the City Zoo is awaiting clearance from Ministry of Commerce for import licence so that it can get two breeding pairs each of African lions and Zebra from Israel’s Ramat Gan Safari Park.
While nods from Ministry of Environment and Forest as well as Ministry of Agriculture have already been secured and the Israeli park is ready for sending the animals, the matter is stuck with the import clearance which the Nandankanan Zoo authorities hope will be sorted out soon.
Meanwhile, by the end of March, the Zoo managed to record a footfall of 29.04 lakh visitors, almost the same number reported in 2012-13 and among the highest. In 2013-14, the tourist arrival had dropped to 27.66 lakh and Phailin was attributed to be the cause.
In the just-concluding financial year, the Zoo generated a revenue of Rs 7.12 crore, the highest ever in its history.