Mangaluru: Pilikula Zoo to receive penguins and anacondas

PTI, Sep 18, 2024, 8:12 AM IST

Mangaluru: In a significant move, the Pilikula Biological Park in Mangaluru will soon welcome penguins from the Byculla Zoo in Mumbai, as part of an animal exchange programme. In return, the Pilikula park will send a Marsh Crocodile to the Byculla Zoo.

Penguins, typically found in the cold, icy regions of the southern hemisphere, especially Antarctica, are aquatic birds that thrive in both water and land. Pilikula plans to create a suitable environment for these penguins with the help of donations or CSR initiatives and expert advice. This addition is expected to attract more visitors and tourists to the park, according to the park’s director, H.J. Bhandari.

Yellow Anaconda from Chennai

The park is also set to receive Yellow Anacondas from Chennai’s Crocodile Bank. In exchange, Pilikula will provide snakes and venomous species to the Crocodile Bank.

Other Animal Exchanges

Pilikula is poised to receive a male Asiatic Lion, endangered Wild Dogs, Gharial Crocodiles, and rare birds from Odisha’s Nandankanan Zoological Park. In return, Pilikula will offer surplus animals like Dholes (wild dogs), Reticulated Pythons, White Hawks, and more.

Endangered wild dogs and rare birds will also be brought from Punjab’s Mahendra Chaudhary Zoo in exchange for Dholes and Hyenas. Rare birds from Tirupati Zoo in Andhra Pradesh will be exchanged for Civet Cats from Pilikula, the director added.