After a decade, zebras will again delight visitors to the Thiruvananthapuram zoo
The zebras, a male and a female aged five and three, are being brought from Vantara at Jamnagar in Gujarat. In exchange, a king cobra and a lion-tailed macaque will be handed over.
After a decade since the Thiruvananthapuram zoo's last zebra passed away, the facility is set to welcome a pair of zebras on Onam. The zebras, a male and a female aged five and three respectively, were sourced from the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (Vantara) in Gujarat. The decision to bring the zebras was influenced by their breeding age, considering the city zoo's aim to diversify its animal collection with the recognizable black-and-white-striped species.
Veterinary surgeon Nikesh Kiran recently examined the health of the zebras in Gujarat, and arrangements are underway for their journey to the zoo via road in a specially designed animal ambulance, expected to take around three days. Upon arrival, the zebras will be cared for by a team from Vantara, led by a veterinary surgeon. Zoo director Manjula Devi expressed joy at the arrival of the zebras after a lengthy wait and hopes they will be ready for public display by Onam.
In exchange, the city zoo will donate a king cobra and a lion-tailed macaque to Vantara. Sita, the lone zebra at the zoo, died in March 2017 due to cardiac arrest. She had been brought to the zoo in 2002 and remained alone for years after attempts to find a partner failed. Sita's chronic arthritis made it difficult for her to walk in the later stages of her life.
The new zebras will fill a significant gap in the zoo's animal collection and bring joy to visitors eagerly awaiting their return.
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