Delhi Zoo is preparing to welcome giraffes again after almost ten years. The zoo authorities have started active discussions with Patna Zoo to bring these tall and fascinating animals back to the capital. Along with giraffes, Delhi Zoo is also planning to introduce a female tiger, a female hippopotamus, and a sloth bear. In exchange, Delhi Zoo will send a male tiger, a male hippopotamus, and a rare Shanghai deer.
This animal exchange program is not limited to Patna Zoo alone. The zoo administration has also initiated talks with Goa Zoo to bring in additional wildlife species. If everything goes as planned, visitors will once again be able to witness giraffes at Delhi Zoo by the end of this year.
A Decade-Long Wait for Giraffes at Delhi Zoo
The last time a giraffe lived in Delhi Zoo was in 2015. After the death of the old giraffe pair, their enclosure has remained empty. Zoo officials have been trying for many years to reintroduce giraffes, but challenges in animal exchange policies and regulations slowed down the process.
According to zoo director Dr. Sanjeet Kumar, the latest discussions with Patna Zoo are progressing positively. The plan includes not just giraffes but also a female tiger, female hippo, and sloth bear. These additions will diversify the wildlife collection and offer visitors a richer experience.
Why Giraffes Disappeared from Delhi Zoo
In 2015, Delhi Zoo lost its last pair of giraffes due to natural aging. Before that, a pair of giraffes from Alipore Zoo in Kolkata had contributed significantly to the giraffe population in Delhi. They produced five calves over the years. Unfortunately, survival was not easy for the young giraffes:
- One calf died just a few days after birth.
- Another was killed by a snake bite.
- A third tragically died when its neck got stuck in tree branches.
Only a few survived, and two young giraffes were eventually sent to Hyderabad Zoo, where they are still alive. Since then, Delhi Zoo’s giraffe enclosure has remained vacant.
Delhi Zoo’s Animal Exchange Program
Animal exchange is one of the most practical ways zoos around the world maintain genetic diversity and enrich their wildlife collection. In India, too, the concept is widely used, though direct buying and selling of animals was banned after 2015.
Delhi Zoo’s current plan with Patna Zoo includes the following:
| From Patna Zoo to Delhi Zoo | From Delhi Zoo to Patna Zoo |
|---|---|
| Giraffe | Male Tiger |
| Female Tiger | Male Hippopotamus |
| Female Hippopotamus | Shanghai Deer |
| Sloth Bear | — |
Additionally, Delhi Zoo is also in talks with Goa Zoo to bring pairs of wild cats, in exchange for barking deer (Kakkar). By the end of this year, the zoo hopes to complete these exchanges successfully.
Why Giraffes Are Special for Delhi Zoo
For visitors, giraffes are among the most attractive and fascinating animals. Their towering height, gentle nature, and unique appearance make them crowd-pullers. Children, in particular, are always excited to see giraffes, and their absence has been strongly felt over the past decade.
Bringing giraffes back to Delhi Zoo will not only restore the zoo’s charm but also increase visitor footfall. It will give wildlife enthusiasts and researchers more opportunities to study the behavior of these magnificent creatures in an urban zoological environment.
Challenges in Bringing Giraffes Back
Reintroducing giraffes is not as simple as moving them from one zoo to another. The process involves:
- Special Transport Arrangements – Giraffes are tall and sensitive animals. Moving them safely requires custom-designed carriers and expert supervision.
- Health Checks – Both the giraffes being shifted and the animals being exchanged must undergo strict veterinary examinations.
- Quarantine Period – To ensure that no diseases are spread, all animals must be kept under observation before being introduced to their new environment.
- Habitat Preparation – The old giraffe enclosure in Delhi Zoo needs modifications to make it safe and comfortable for the new arrivals.
Zoo authorities are already working on these challenges to ensure the smooth arrival of giraffes and other animals.
Delhi Zoo: A Popular Wildlife Destination
Also known as the National Zoological Park, Delhi Zoo is one of the most visited zoological parks in India. Established in 1959, it houses more than 1,000 animals, birds, and reptiles belonging to different species. Spread across 176 acres, the zoo is not only a tourist attraction but also a center for wildlife conservation and education.
Every year, lakhs of visitors come to Delhi Zoo to see lions, tigers, elephants, rhinos, and migratory birds. The addition of giraffes after ten years is expected to further boost its popularity.
Also read: Two New Zoos to Be Built in Jharkhand, Tiger Safari Also Approved
Looking Ahead: What Visitors Can Expect
By the end of this year, if all animal exchanges are completed, visitors to Delhi Zoo can look forward to:
- Watching giraffes after nearly a decade.
- Seeing a new female tiger and a female hippopotamus.
- Observing sloth bears in their naturalistic enclosures.
- Spotting new wild cats brought from Goa Zoo.
The zoo administration is hopeful that these additions will make Delhi Zoo an even more vibrant and diverse wildlife hub.
Also read: African Cheetahs to Find a New Home in Veerangana Rani Durgavati Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Conclusion
The plan to bring giraffes back to Delhi Zoo is not just about adding another animal species. It is about reviving memories, strengthening wildlife conservation, and offering visitors a more exciting experience. After ten years of waiting, Delhi Zoo is finally on track to reintroduce giraffes with the help of Patna Zoo and the ongoing animal exchange program.
If everything goes well, by the end of the year, Delhi Zoo will once again echo with the excitement of children pointing up at the long necks of giraffes — a sight the capital has been missing for too long.
