While eight cheetahs have been relocated from Namibia to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha’s capital may soon house cheetahs as well. According to reports, an agreement may be reached between Nandankanan Zoological Park and Dubai Safari Park to bring the cheetahs to the zoo as part of an animal exchange programme. The zoo authority intends to bring two cheetahs within the next six months.
The Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) is also planning to get five white lions from abroad.
After the proposal is approved by the Central Zoo Authority and the Foreign Zoo Authority, the two cheetahs will come. Deputy Director of Nandankana Sanjit Kumar said, “It will generally take around six months to clear all the files and it will be implemented very soon.”
It is difficult to confine the most powerful and fast-moving cheetah. The most important factor is that breeding will be successful here if the environment is favourable.
“There should be special attention to environment, temperature, and food. If they breed in this environment the mission will be a success,” said Former PCCF Bijay Ketan Pattnaik.
The zoo plans to bring a male and female cheetah, African white lions, and chimpanzees in exchange for Manipur brow-antlered deer, and hippopotamuses blackbucks, from Dubai.