Two mandrills added to Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad

Two male mandrill siblings have been introduced at Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad under an animal exchange programme. After completing quarantine, they are now on display, adding to the zoo’s collection and expected to attract more visitors

Hyderabad: Two vividly coloured male Mandrills were introduced to the Nehru Zoological Park collection here on Thursday. The Mandrills (siblings), aged about 23 months, can now be spotted at the primate park.

The Mandrills were procured under an animal exchange programme with the Jamshedpur Zoo, and in exchange, Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad gave a pair of African Lions. These primates were received last month and kept in quarantine for 45 days. After successfully completing their quarantine period, they were made public.

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Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Kumar, who released the primates into their enclosure, said the success rate of wildlife conservation and breeding of indigenous and exotic species was remarkable at the Hyderabad zoo.

The Forest Department and the zoo management were striving to increase the present stock of animals, he said, adding that with the new addition, the zoo will attract more visitors this summer season.

Presently, the Hyderabad zoo is home to 196 animal species and more than 2,100 individuals. Telangana Zoo Parks Director Dr Sunil S Hiremath, Nehru Zoological Park curator J Vasantha and other zoo staff were also present.