Jamshedpur, Feb. 24: The two pairs of grant�s zebras, which had arrived at the Tata Steel Zoological Park from Israel recently, and were under quarantine in their enclosure, have been opened for public to see.
The Zebra exhibit was opened by T.V.Narendran, managing director, Tata Steel, India and SEA in presence of B.K.Dinda, president, Tata Steel Zoological Society Workers Union. Other officials present included Bipul Chakrabarty, Director and Rishad Chinoy, Secretary, Tata Steel Zoological Society.
The zebras were acquired from Ramat Gan Safari, Tel Aviv, Israel, and arrived at the Tata Steel Zoological Park in early December 2015. The animals were kept in strict quarantine and have recently been cleared for public display by the Regional Quarantine Officer.
During this period, the zoo team maintained strict quarantine protocols, including closure of the enclosures, maintaining a dedicated team of animal keepers, regular testing and round-the-clock observation through closed circuit television cameras.
The 2016 sq m enclosure for the grant�s zebras was prepared in advance to provide them with the best suited habitat by ensuring that the gently undulating terrain was covered with grass and suitable for them to gallop, trot and walk comfortably. In addition to this, strict attention is paid to their daily diet which comprises of hay, grass, mixed grain, carrots and vitamin supplements.
The grant’s zebra is one of the six sub-species of the plains zebra. They are found throughout the grasslands, savannas and some woodland of Eastern and Southern Africa. These herbivores live in large groups called �Harems� and live up to 20-30 years in the wild and up to 40 years in captivity.
The Tata Steel Zoological Park, inaugurated in 1994, is a medium category Zoo recognized by the Central Zoo Authority. Spread over 43 hectares in the verdant surroundings of Jubilee Park flanked by Jayanti Sarovar and the Subarnarekha River, the Zoo houses 426 animals comprising 19 species of mammals, 22 species of birds and 4 species of reptiles.
The Zoo has many firsts to its name � it was the first zoo in India to possess pure bred African lions and mandrills. It is the only zoo in the region to have a Butterfly Park. The zoo continues to explore opportunities to increase the number of species to benefit the citizens of Jamshedpur.