Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park has welcomed two new residents—a male and female giraffe from Kolkata’s Alipore Zoological Garden—under an animal exchange program. The male giraffe is 1 year and 5 months old, while the female is 1 year and 1 month old. With their arrival, the zoo’s giraffe population has increased to three.
Transporting the giraffes overland posed logistical challenges, prompting Nandankanan zoo officials to meticulously plan the journey. A team conducted a preliminary survey to assess the route and identify potential hazards. In coordination with district officials, including Collectors, Superintendents of Police (SPs), and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), a transportation strategy was developed, and quarantine arrangements were made for the animals.
The journey, which began on the night of August 31, took 25 hours to complete, with the giraffes arriving safely at Nandankanan Zoological Park. The zoo now eagerly awaits the acclimatization of its new residents, further enriching the park’s diverse animal population.