Bhubaneswar: The Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha has welcomed 13 new blackbucks from the Nandankanan Zoological Park as part of the animal translocation programme.
As per reports, a special vehicle transported blackbucks from Nandankanan Zoological Park to Konark last night. For the blackbucks, a special arrangement has been made in a 30-hectare area under the Kurujang IDC, within the Konark forest range. Separate arrangements have been made for their food and water.
On June 18, 10 rare blackbucks including 6 females and 4 males were brought to the sanctuary. These blackbucks are currently under quarantine and receiving proper care. Their daily health status is being closely monitored. Once they adapt to their new surroundings, the blackbucks will be released into the sanctuary for free-roaming, said sources.
Located just 10 kilometres from Puri, the Balukhand sanctuary boasts stunning sandy beaches, casuarina trees, and cashew plantations, providing a perfect habitat for the blackbucks to thrive.
It is pertinent to mention that the translocation move is part of the government’s efforts to conserve and protect the rare species, which had faced severe threats after the devastating 1999 super cyclone in Odisha.
