Patna zoo will soon be home to a rhinoceros iguana, a green anaconda, a royal python and a Nile crocodile.

The zoo will bring a pair - one female and a male - of each of the four animals from The Netherlands under an animal exchange programme. In return, the zoo has to provide seven crocodiles (one male and six females) to the European nation.

Patna zoo, one of the largest in the country, is home to around 110 species of animals and around 1,200 animals are housed in the greens of the facility spread over 153 acres. In the past one year, Patna zoo has got many new inmates, including peacock pheasant and a fishing cat.

According to zoo director Nand Kishore, the new animals are set to join the zoo within three months. However, according to zoo officials, people will be able to see the new animals a month after their arrival. "The director-general of foreign trade has given us permission for the import of animals from The Netherlands but we are still waiting for the export-related permission. All this would take around three months after which the new inmates will be introduced in the zoo," said Kishore, adding that the new inmates will be put in quarantine (an isolated place) for a month after their arrival in the zoo before bringing them in public view.

"The health of the new inmates will be observed in the quarantine to see that they do not catch any infection. Only after being satisfied with their physical condition and behavioural pattern would the new inmates be put in separate enclosures for public viewing. We follow this norm for all new inmates," said Kishore.

Kishore said the zoo will have to do a bit of modification on its premises for providing proper habitation to the new animals.

Talking about the interesting features of the new members, Kishore said: "The rhino iguana happens to be from the lizard species and is one of the largest lizards. Its length varies from 60 to 136cm, far more than common lizards which measure around 10-16cm in length. While the green anaconda is among the longest snake species, the Nile crocodile is believed to be among the largest crocodiles. The royal python is also going to be a major attraction because it is believed that African kings used to wear the snake around their neck as jewellery."

Patna zoo is mulling constructing a watchtower on its campus through which people can get a good view of the zoo from an elevated point. "The tower will be built by next year," said Kishore.

The zoo also has plans to develop various gardens, including for bonsai trees and butterflies. "We are trimming down trees in the flight funnel area. We cannot allow big trees as it would put obstacles in flight operations. We are also creating a pathway in the area for better access to people," said Kishore.