Three cheetahs from Ann Van Dyke Cheetah centre in South Africa have arrived at the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden in Karnataka’s city of palaces as part of an animal exchange programme. The facility is popularly known as Mysuru/ Mysore Zoo.
In a statement, the zoo said that one male and two female cheetahs had arrived on August 17. It is one of two zoos in India to house cheetahs. ‘This acquisition provides an opportunity to the Zoo visitors to see these endangered African cat species,’ reads the statement.
The Zoo has previous experience housing cheetahs. From 2011-2019 the zoo had four cheetahs from a facility in Germany according to the zoo’s director, Ajit Kulkarni, who spoke to IANS.
‘Ours is the second zoo to house cheetahs after Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad. Though we had four of them from Germany since 2011, the last one died in 2019, as their life span is short, 12-14 years,’ said Kulkarni.
The animals will reside in a 7,000 square metre fenced area. The three cats are currently in quarantine and will be released into their enclosure in September.
Kulkarni explained that the zoo will be sending one of its species to South Africa as part of the exchange programme.
The facility opened in 1892 and spans over 157 acres.
Arrival of African Hunting Cheetah to Mysuru Zoo
1 male and 2 female African Hunting Cheetah acquired by Mysore Zoo from Ann Van Dyke Cheetah Center, South Africa arrived at Mysuru Zoo on 17/8/2020. Mysuru Zoo is one of the only two zoos in India to house Cheetahs. pic.twitter.com/nKEslKyOAu— Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysore Zoo) (@Mysore_Zoo) August 18, 2020
Image credit: Twitter/ @Mysore_Zoo
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