GUWAHATI: The National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi has announced the temporary suspension of its animal exchange programme with Assam. Officials on Friday revealed that the rising mercury and unfavourable atmospheric conditions have rendered animal transportation unsafe.
“Due to the sudden spike in temperatures, we have decided to put the animal exchange program on hold until more favourable weather conditions prevail,” stated Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar, as reported by a national news agency.
The exchange programme, which was set to involve the transfer of a male rhinoceros from Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden to Delhi’s National Zoo, has been postponed. Tigers and blackbucks were also part of this initiative.
“We had plans to bring the male rhinoceros to the capital in June, but we are prioritising the safety of the animals, ensuring all necessary safety assessments are completed before resuming the exchange,” Kumar was quoted as saying by the agency.
Recent data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) indicates that this April has been relatively warmer compared to the previous year.
Despite the warmer climate, there have been fewer instances of extreme heat, with only one day recording temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in Delhi, as opposed to four such days in 2023 and 17 in 2022.
The need for a male rhinoceros arose as the NZP has been without one for nearly a decade following the passing of Shiva, a 34-year-old male rhinoceros, in 2014 due to cancer. Currently, the NZP is home to two female rhinoceroses.
“Delhi’s zoo houses two female rhinoceroses, Maheshwari and her daughter Anjuna. The exchange program aimed to fulfil Assam zoo’s requirement for a female rhinoceros and a Bengal tigress,” revealed an NZP official to the agency.
Earlier last week, officials disclosed that Delhi Zoo was poised to welcome a pair of oriental pied hornbills from Assam Zoo in Guwahati. This addition would elevate the total species count at the city zoo to 97.
In exchange for the hornbills, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved a trade-off involving four blackbucks. Additionally, the Assam Zoo is set to receive a pair of blue-and-yellow macaws in return.
