News Excerpt
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has allowed the Odisha government to carry out planned transfer of animals from Dubai Safari Park (DSP) to Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP), Bhubaneswar.
More details on news:
- The animals will be brought in through an animal exchange programme. Zoo officials have signed an agreement with Dubai Safari Park in the United Arab Emirates to bring these exotic animals and birds through the exchange programme.
- According to the wildlife wing, the NZP will receive ring-tailed lemur, red-necked wallaby, Hamadryas baboon, African grey parrot and blue-and-gold macaw in addition to the cheetah, African lion and chimpanzee from DSP.
- In exchange, the NZP will provide hippopotamus, blackbuck, hog deer, gaur, red junglefowl and gharial.
- The CZA has asked the wildlife wing of the State Forest and Environment Department to keep requisite housing facilities ready in accordance with its guideline.
About African lions & Cheetah
- African lions are typically found in savannas, plains, grasslands, dense bush and open woodlands where prey is abundant. They can also be found in smaller numbers in semi-desert and mountain habitats.
- This species can be found in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa, primarily inhabiting eastern and southern Africa .
- The African Cheetah, with several subspecies occurring in different African countries, is listed as a vulnerable (VU) species on the IUCN Red List.
- In recent past the African cheetahs were translocated to India at Kuno National Park as the Government of India has signed an MoU to bring 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa.
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Central Zoo Authority (CZA)
- The Central Zoo Authority was established as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests by the Government of India in the year 1992.
- The main objective of this Authority is to complement and strengthen the national effort in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the fauna as per the National Zoo Policy, 1998.
- Other objectives of this Authority include- enforcing minimum standards and norms for upkeep and healthcare of animals in Indian zoos and to control mushrooming of unplanned and ill-conceived zoos.
- Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is also approved by the Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits are issued by the competent authority.
Nandankanan Zoological Park
- Nandankanan Zoological Park is a premier large zoo of India. It is 15 kms from Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar.
- Unlike other zoos in the country, Nandankanan is built right inside the forest and set in a completely natural environment.
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Animal exchange program
- Through the animal exchange program, zoos can become conservation hubs rather than just places for exhibits.
- Through the program, single, unpaired, or surplus endangered species can be transferred between zoos that have the necessary infrastructure.
- When approving exchanges, factors like breeding history, success in conservation, and medical competency are taken into account.
- To preserve genetic diversity, wild-born animals are considered valuable assets, microchipped, and entered into comprehensive stud books.
- Only in the interest of conserving species do international exchanges take place, avoiding excessive imports.
- Before any exchange, the credentials of foreign zoos are thoroughly verified, and every animal transaction is covered in detail.
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