Ahead of the National Wildlife Week, Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park — popular as Chhatbir Zoo — has welcomed seven new members belonging to three species — Indian wolf, Royal snake and Chukar partridge.
With this, the total number of species at the zoo has reached 103. According to the inventory that took place in June this year, the zoo has 1,250 birds and animals.
Acclimatising to the new environment right now, the new entrants will be released in their enclosures for public viewing by October 8, during the weeklong celebrations that begin on Tuesday.
Exchange programme
The zoo authorities have brought in three wolfs in exchange of swamp deers in an exchange programme with the Jaipur zoo.
“At present, no one is allowed to enter their enclosure or even meet them apart from the zookeeper. However, we will unveil them during the wildlife week celebrations,” said M Sudhagar, field director of the zoo.
Among other exchanges is a new reptile: Royal snake, which has two to three distinct patterns during different life stages. It is found in deserts and semi-arid regions of North-West India — from Kutch in Gujarat to non-Himalayan parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The zoo has acquired two of these snakes in an exchange programme with the J&K zoo.
Also, adding to its tally of birds, the zoo has brought two Chukar Partridges in exchange of a painted stork from J&K. The bird has well-marked black and white bars on the flanks and black band running from the forehead across the eye. The bird is around 32-35cm long with a light brown back, grey breast and buff belly.
The other recent entries in the zoo are grey pelicans, star tortoise, ostrich, otters and mouse deer.
In an outreach programme, the zoo officials will hold an awareness rally for schoolchildren in Mohali on Tuesday morning. Also, zookeepers will hold an interactive session with schoolchildren visiting the park.
The new entrants
■ Indian wolf: A sub specie of grey wolf, it is found in the Indian subcontinent. They are smaller, more slightly built, and have shorter fur.
■ Royal snake: The reptile bears two or three distinct forms during the three life stages; found in desert and semi-arid regions in North-West India.
■ Chukar Partridge: A gamebird, it belongs to the pheasant family. Around 32-35cm long, the rotund bird has a light brown back and grey breast
