Shivamogga zoo transports two Indian gaurs to Patna, to get wolves, gharials in return
A team of officials from the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari in Shivamogga left the city on Thursday with two male Indian gaurs for Patna
A team of officials from the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari in Shivamogga left the city on Thursday with two male Indian gaurs for Patna in Bihar, as part of an animal exchange programme. In return, the Shivamogga zoo will receive eight wolves and four gharials. Two trucks carrying the animals left the safari around 5.30 p.m. on Thursday and are expected to reach Patna by Saturday evening.
The team includes Shravan Singh Rathore, Veterinary Officer of the Shivamogga zoo; a Range Forest Officer (RFO); a Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO); two animal keepers; and two drivers. Before the gaurs were transported, officials carried out a restraint operation — comprising crate training and physical restraint — under the supervision of Mr. Rathore. Chandrashekhar S. Sunkad, a retired veterinarian; H.S. Prayag, Deputy Director of the Bannerghatta Biological Park; and Nirupama of the Bengaluru Wildlife Rescue Centre provided technical support for the operation.
V.M. Amarakshara, Executive Director of the Shivamogga Zoo, told The Hindu that both animals were compatible with each other, calm in temperament, and had been trained for crate travel. On the return journey, the team will bring back the wolves and gharials. “As per the plan, the staff will leave Patna by August 18. They need to rework the crates to accommodate the animals. We are sending two trucks from Shivamogga so that the animals can be carried safely,” he said.
This is the second instance of gaurs being transported out of the Shivamogga Zoo under an animal exchange programme; the first such transport was to the Indore Zoo.
The BriefWire