Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi visits the otter enclosure and (right) turtles move around in their new home at Patna zoo on Friday. Pictures by Jai Prakash

Patna, Oct. 7: Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park today welcomed otters and turtles to their new homes as deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi inaugurated special enclosures for both the amphibians at the Patna zoo.

The enclosures, which are fitted with tunnels and glass panels, are a treat for the eyes of visitors of all ages. One can catch a glimpse of their favourite amphibians in action in their natural habitat — under water.

Lauding the zoo’s initiatives, the deputy chief minister said: “Both enclosures are good initiatives by the Patna zoo and would be appreciated by most visitors. While efforts would be made to develop the enclosures by bringing in more varieties of turtles and otters, the zoo would also try to develop similar ultra-modern enclosures for the other amphibians.” Modi added that Patna zoo also plans to bring more chimpanzees, among other animals.

At present, a pair of otters and a dozen turtles have taken up residence at their respective enclosures. While the otter enclosure has a 25x38ft pool that can store water up to 4 foot, the turtle enclosure has a 20x30ft pool, which can hold water up to 2.5 foot. A hilly structure behind both water pools give visitors the illusion of a waterfall.

Those who would like to visit the amphibians in their natural habitat would have to remain behind a 2-inch-thick laminated glass panel in the front of the enclosures. Visitors can even flit between the enclosures, which are connected by 60-foot-long and eight-foot-long tunnels. The Patna zoo officials said both the enclosures have been designed in a manner that would promote breeding.

Apart from the inauguration of the two enclosures, the Patna zoo has also planned a number of activities during the ongoing Wildlife Fortnight celebrations. “Among other activities, we will organise fancy dress, painting and essay competitions on wildlife theme. The deputy chief minister would award the winners on the concluding day of Wildlife Fortnight, on October 15. A procession would also be organised inside the zoo the same day,” said Patna zoo director Abhay Kumar.

The strength of Patna zoo is also set to go higher with feline additions. Under an agreement with the Guwahati zoo, the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park would soon receive some feline friends. “We have recently signed an agreement on animal exchange programme with Guwahati zoo. Under the exchange programme, Guwahati zoo would give us a pair of leopards, a male leopard cat and a female jungle cat. In return, Patna zoo will give them a pair of jackals, a male and a female langur, a male and two female golden pheasants and a male hyena,” added Abhay.