Mangaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 6 : Mangaluru's Pilikula Biological Park has received six new animals from Nandan Kanan Zoo in Orissa as part of an animal exchange program. The park's newest residents include an Asiatic lion, a wolf, two Gharial crocodiles, a silver pheasant, and two yellow-golden pheasants.
In return, Pilikula Biological Park has sent a Dhole/Wild Dog, four Reticulated Pythons, two Bramhiny Kites, three Asian Palm Civets, and two Large Egrets to Nandankanan Zoo.

"The newly arrived animals, reptiles, and birds will undergo a 15-day quarantine period, complete with necessary vaccinations and treatments, to ensure a smooth adaptation to their new environment. Once this period is over, the public will be able to view these fascinating creatures" said H.Jayaprakash Bhandary, Director of Pilikula Biological Park.

Animal exchange programmes are conducted to provide companions for solitary animals and to preserve pure bloodlines.
Pilikula Zoo currently has three lions, and a male Asiatic lion has been brought in as a companion for the lions. Since the number of male Asiatic lions is very low in Indian zoos, this lion has been brought from Nandankanan Zoo in Odisha.
By adding rare animals and birds to the zoo's exhibits, the revenue of Pilikula Zoo will increase significantly, which will help to run the zoo sustainably on its own, the press release said.
The newly arrived animals, reptiles, and birds will be given necessary vaccinations and treatment. They will be kept in a care centre (Quarantine Ward) for about 15 days to help them adjust to the local environment before being available for public viewing.
"This is a new record in the history of Pilikula's animal exchange program, where animals are brought from distance (about 2,000 km) from Orissa's Nandankannan Zoo. Earlier, there was a record of an animal exchange program conducted from a distance from Rajasthan's Udaipur Zoo (about 1,700 km)," the press release added.