Dikhyaa Mohanty 
As part of an animal exchange initiative, 11 new animal and bird species from Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad have been brought to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. With approval from the Central Zoo Authority, this animal exchange program was implemented.
Two sarus cranes, two spoonbills, two grey jungle fowls, two iguanas, two barbary doves, four hog deer, two mouse deer, two red sand boas, two common sand boas, two bonnet macaques, and two russell’s vipers have reportedly been delivered to the Nandankanan zoo officials. In exchange, Nandankanan gave the Hyderabad Zoo two hog deer, two mouse deer, four golden pheasants, two Lady Amherst’s pheasants, and three Siamese crocodiles.
In the second phase, Nandankanan Zoo will receive two female bonnet macaques in exchange for four Asian open bill storks and four Assamese macaques, said sources. A 17-member team from the Hyderabad Zoo arrived at Nandankanan yesterday, formally handing over the new animal additions to the zoo authorities. This exchange programme not only adds new species to the NZP’s collection but also helps infuse new bloodlines into the existing species, said sources.
