Vandalur zoo looks to cover new ground

Hindu
Chennai
Sun,06 Nov 2016

Summary: The zoo currently houses six species of deer including the spotted deer, barking deer, sambar, swamp and sangai deer. Keeping them protectedThe zoo has set a new record of breeding lion-tailed maxaques (LTM). Chennai has the distinction of having the first zoo in India in 1855. The wolves of VandalurThe Udaipur zoo had sent two wolves in exchange of the white tiger. The new sprawling zoo on Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road was inaugurated by then Chief Minister M.G.

The Arignar Anna Zoological Park has been the frontrunner in the conservation of endangered species. Chennai has the distinction of having the first zoo in India in 1855. This was functioning near Moore Market Complex before it had to be shifted to the present location in 1979, when the state government had to hand over the land to the railways for expansion works. The new sprawling zoo on Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road was inaugurated by then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran.

By 1982, the first enclosures were readied, and seven sambars, five macaw parrots and one African grey parrot and animals such as zebra, hippo and blackbuck were transported from the old Corporation Zoo. All the animals and birds – 155 in number – were also shifted to the present location. A zoo official said, “Our first task was to enrich the animal collection of the zoo and the highest priority was given to acquisition of glamorous exotic animals from different parts of the globe. Breeding of the rare and endangered species of wild animals, like Shangai (Thamin deer), Swamp deer, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Indian Gaur, Wild Dog, Indian Tiger and the Asiatic Lion, was successful.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/vandalur-zoo-looks-to-cover-new-ground/article9310774.ece