Shivamogga: Shivamogga Zoo received birds and animals of five species from Thiruvananthapuram Zoological Park in Kerala. The exchange, facilitated by the Central Zoo Authority, involved two trucks travelling over 1,000 km via Hosur to avoid the ghats section.
The new arrivals include two gharials (critically endangered), four lesser rhea (South American species), one striped hyena, two Indian crested porcupine, and six sun conure. Shivamogga Zoo director Amarakshar said the animals arrived safely. "Gharials are very active, porcupines are adjusting, and other animals are fine," he stated.
In return, the Shivamogga Zoo sent nine animals of four species to Thiruvananthapuram. This exchange marks the first since the Oct incident where a truck carrying gharials and a jungle cat from Patna to Bannerghatta Biological Park met with an accident in Telangana.
With these new additions, Shivamogga zoo now boasts of 34 species of animals.