Dimapur, Feb. 23: The only two Royal Bengal tigers in Nagaland are gradually adapting to their new habitat which was surveyed and approved by the Central Zoo Authority before the arrival of the duo from the south.
The two Royal Bengal tigers were brought recently to the Nagaland Zoological Park in Rangapahar from the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo on January 14 during an animal exchange programme.
One of them, Manikantan, is a 10-year old male tiger while the other, Karthika, is 12-year old tigress. They have been indicating positive interaction with their new home.
During a short interaction, officials of the zoo told Eastern Mirror that Nagaland’s former Chief Minister TR Zeliang had agreed to adopt one of the tigers. The zoo’s authority informed that dates have not been set to exhibit the large cats for visitors as they were still not used to people around. Nonetheless, it is during afternoons that some lucky visitors sometimes get to have a glimpse of the tigers when they come out of their cages. However, moving around close to the animal enclosures and service area is strictly prohibited.
The officials also mentioned that a CCTV has been installed within the enclosure to monitor and study the cats’ behaviour with their new habitat. There are currently two caretakers who are constantly on duty to ensure that the ‘bonding’ between the furry cats is positive.
The Forest department has 176 hectares of land and can still accommodate more animals in the days to come depending on ‘donation’ from private citizens or on the status of the state’s finances.
Obed Swu, assistant conservator of Forest, informed Eastern Mirror that the department was planning to bring a white tiger to the zoo in the future.
