IMC delay may slip Bhilai tiger out of Indore zoo's hands

Dithering on the proposal for nearly six months, the Indore zoo may lose the chance to get a tiger from Aurangabad under the Central Zoo Authority's animal exchange programme.

Dithering on the proposal for nearly six months, the Indore zoo may lose the chance to get a tiger from Aurangabad under the Central Zoo Authority's (CZA) animal exchange programme. The CZA gave Indore zoo the nod for acquiring a white tiger from Bhilai in return for a pair of white peacocks, parrots, tortoise and a jackal.

The CZA's nod for a proposed exchange lapses after six months. But although there are just 20 days to go before that happens, the zoo -- Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya -- is yet to initiate any action to bring the big cat from Bhilai. When contacted over the phone, zoo incharge Dr Uttam Yadav confirmed that the deadline for the exchange of animals would lapse on November 30.

"If that happens we'll have to get permission from the CZA afresh," said Dr Yadav. He, however, said that the tiger would be brought to Indore in time to beat the deadline.

Meanwhile, half-a-dozen exotic birds including pairs of golden and silver pheasants as well as Sun Kunnoor are on their way to Indore from Hyderabad under the CZA-brokered exchange programme. The zoo handed over five cobras in return for the birds.