By June-end, Chhatbir zoo to roar louder

MOHALI: All decks have been cleared for Chhatbir zoo to get a pair of Asiatic lions and a female white tiger under an animal exchange programme with Rajkot in Gujarat.
The zoo had recently received approval from the Gujarat chief minister’s on the demand of the Punjab wildlife department.
According to the programme, Chhatbir will get one male Asiatic lion, one female Asiatic lion, one female white tigress and a male jungle cat from Rajkot zoo.
In exchange, Chhatbir zoo will give one male Himalayan blackbear, a pair of jungle cat, a pair of Himalayan baboon, three pairs of Rose ringed parakeet, two pairs of alexandrine parakeet, five pairs of painted stork and two pairs of comb ducks to Rajkot zoo.
Zoo field director M Sudhagar said, “A team from Chhatbir zoo will go to Rajkot for identifying the animals to be brought. As the weather improves, the animals will be exchanged. The process may be completed by June-end.”
At present, the zoo has only two male white tigers, which were bred and born at the zoo and are between the age group of 6-7 years. The white tigress to be brought is around seven years old. An officer at the zoo said, “We need to complete the pairing of the animals for proper mating.”
A pair of Asiatic lions, a male and a female will also be added to the strength of four lions, one female and three males at the zoo. Three out of the four Asiatic lions were bred and born at Chhatbir zoo and are aged between 8 to 9 years. A pair of Asiatic lions being exchanged are also aged between 8 to 9 years, said the director.
Last year, ahead of the National Wildlife Week, seven new members belonging to three species were brought under animal exchange programmes. They were Indian wolf, Royal snake, Chukar partridge, grey pelicans, star tortoise, ostrich, otters and mouse deer.