Kashmir’s Himalayan black bears will remain in Vandalur Zoo
CHENNAI: A pair of Himalayan black bears will be housed at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) in Vandalur as the zoo management has brought the animals from Jammu and Kashmir’s Jambu Zoo under the animal exchange programme. A pair of Bengal tigers will be sent to Jambu Zoo.
The zoo management said in a statement that the zoo has a successful captive breeding program for wild animals and has been particularly successful in breeding tigers.
“Therefore, tigers are often exchanged for other wild animals with other Indian zoos through the animal exchange programme. As per the animal exchange proposed in January 2023, in compliance with the rules of the Central Zoo Authority of India, the Himalayan black A pair of bears (Selenarctos thibetanus) have been brought from Jambu Zoo,” the statement said.
In return, AAZP has agreed to provide a pair of Royal Bengal Tigers. The bears arrived on Friday between Jammu Tawi and MGR Chennai Central through a special coach attached to Andaman Express.
Plans are being made to take the tigers back in a similar manner in the upcoming schedule of the return train on Wednesday.
“On arrival their health was examined by the veterinary assistant surgeon at AAZP and the bears have been kept in temporary cells for quarantine. On completion of the prescribed period, the animals will be shifted to the display area in the zoo. Thus This is the first time that tigers are coming to Jambu Zoo, their keepers will receive practical training on handling and maintenance of tigers from AAZP staff for a period of one week,” the statement said.
