Sambalpur: The Sambalpur Zoo has received eight new guests from the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar under the animal exchange program.
The mini zoo got eight hog deers including four females, zoo authorities said.
Hogdeer is mostly seen in Southeast Asia, US and Australia. It is also known as Indochinese Hogdeer.
Hogdeer is a Schedule -3 animal in Wildlife Protection Act 1972/ endangered category.
In exchange of Hog deer, Nandankanan will take five Sambar (2 male & 3 female) from Sambalpur Zoo. The Hog deer will be kept under Quarantine for a month. They will be displayed for visitors in Sambalpur Zoo after the quarantine period is over.
In December last year, Hirakud Wildlife Division authorities had brought eight Blackbucks from Nandankanan.
Besides introducing Blackbucks, Hirakud Wildlife authorities have also added Nocturnal House, open-Orchidarium, Rose Garden during 2023-24 financial year.
At present including Blackbuck & Hog deer, Sambalpur Zoo is home to 18 varieties of animals including leopard, Bear, Sambar, Chowsingha, Deer, Python, Peacocks and other colourful birds.
The zoo has planned to bring new 30 varieties of animals in coming years which includes Tiger, Nilgai, Bison, Wolf, Wilddogs etc.
