Mysuru zoo gets new additions from Lucknow under exchange programme

MYSURU, August 22, 2016

Apart from rosy pelicans (in picture), Mysuru zoo has received a pair of swamp deer and a female stripped hyena from Lucknow zoo under an exchange programme.— PHOTO: M.A.SRIRAM

People visiting the famous Mysuru zoo will get to see new animals and birds as the zoo has received fresh pedigree from the zoo in Lucknow in a bid to prevent inbreeding.

A pair of swamp deer, four pairs of rosy pelicans, and a female stripped hyena arrived here recently from Lucknow under an exchange programme.

In return, Mysuru zoo sent a pair of black swans, a pair of silver pheasants, and two pairs of hog deers to Lucknow zoo.

Mysuru zoo Executive Director K. Kamala told The Hindu that the animals and birds arrived here on August 13 and are quarantined.

“All of them have been exhibited,” she said.

This exchange is meant for adding new bloodline since the zoo here is already home to such animals and birds.

“We have three male and eight female hyenas. We also have a swamp deer. The new bloodline will discontinue inbreeding and result in fresh stock of animals and birds,” she said, adding that inbreeding may also result in diseases.

Renitha, a lioness from Sakkarbaug zoo in Junagadh in Gujarat, which arrived here under an exchange programme recently, will be displayed to visitors from Wednesday, she said.

Mysuru zoo gave a pair of black swans, two Indian grey wolves and a pair of sun conure birds to Sakkarbaug zoo.

Sakkarbaug zoo is known for breeding Asiatic lions— an endangered species found only in Gir forest in Gujarat— and later releasing them into Gir forest. Five years ago, Mysuru zoo received a pair of lions from Sakkarbaug zoo.

Mysuru zoo had Asiatic lions in 1989 but they could not breed. Rakshitha and Darshan, both of whom were cross-bred, are the two other lions in Mysuru zoo.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mysuru-zoo-gets-new-additions-from-lucknow-under-exchange-programme/article9016597.ece