Giraffe to be introduced in Tripura zoo

Agartala, Sep 25 (UNI) Wildlife authorities in Tripura have planned to add a giraffe and one-horned rhino in Sipahijala zoo in order to attract more tourists.

According to state Forest Minister Jitendra Choudhury, requisition for a giraffe had already been placed with the National Zoo Authority of India, while Assam and Kanpur Zoo authorities had been urged to supply a female rhino for carrying out breeding in Sipahijala.

Mr Choudhury said an automatic nature interpretation disclosure would be set up soon to enable the visitors to get more information about the sanctuary.

Eight endangered species, including three spectacled monkeys belonging to Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, had given birth in the captive environment of Sipahijala, Mr Choudhury said, further informing that clouded leopards and two rare species of wildcats, believed to be on the verge of extinction, had found place in the sanctuary.

Sipahijala zoo, at present, has 28 animal species under Schedule-I. A few of them like spectacled monkeys, clouded leopards and Indian Python are found only in Tripura, Mr Choudhary said, adding, ''We have taken steps to visualise process of breeding of certain endangered species as part of maintaining ecological equilibrium.'' The Minister said they were pursuing for National Park status for Sipahijala and the matter was under active consideration by the Central Zoo Authority. However, the Sipahijala authorities were facing problem with five more endangered species due to non-availability of mating partners, he added.

UNI