Lucknow zoo set to get female hippo & tiger

Lucknow: Under an animal exchange programme approved by the Central Zoo Authority, the Lucknow Zoo will receive a female hippopotamus and a female tiger from Nandanvan Zoological Park, Raipur, and in return send 15 swamp deer (five males and 10 females) and five male blackbucks.Zoo director, Sanjay Kumar Biswal, said, “The exchange has been planned to boost genetic diversity, support conservation goals and improve the animal population in both zoos.”He added that the preparations have already been made to ensure proper enclosures and care for the incoming animals. Animals will be brought till the end of July following all the protocols.In view of intense heat, the zoo administration has also improved arrangements for visitors.“Seven umbrellas have been installed at important spots across the premises to provide shade from sunlight and eight water coolers with water purifiers have been set up to provide clean and cold drinking water”, said Biswal..