Asom zoo prepares to welcome new inmates

Guwahati, Apr 18 (UNI) Asom zoo is bracing up to welcome the new visitors with many likely to turn into permanent residents.

While the animals may be unaware of what the busy constructions and revamping activities all around are about, the staff of the zoo were visibly bristling with excitement.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) N Mahanta informed that new enclosures were being constructed and older ones repaired as the zoo planned to welcome more animals.

'' More species, especially of indigenous animals, would be brought once the new cages are ready,'' he said.

The Asom State Zoo-cum Botanical Garden has 90 species of animals and birds now with the total population of over 900.

The DFO said many new enclosures, like the one for Himalayan black bear, are completely ready for occupation, while many others, like those for languor and hollock gibbon, are in various stages of completion.

'' Some other present enclosures, like those of rhinos and lions, are good enough and a little touch up would be enough, '' he added.

The snake house had been relocated, the DFO said adding other cages would also be readied soon.

Mr Mahanta informed that the state zoo would be concentrating on conservation, breeding and research on indigenous animals and proposals were in place to house more such animals in the zoo.

He said, '' We are planning scientific breeding of sun bear, wild goat and languor in the first phase. '' The zoo was under constant pressure to add to the six rhinos it had at present, he said adding without better facilities, it would be difficult to house more of the one-horned famous species.

'' But things would change for the better very soon, with the process already on, and the zoo would have more species, living in better conditions, '' Mr Mahanta added.

UNI