Patna: Patna zoo is set to receive four new species of animals in the near future.

The officials have finalised an animal exchange programme under which the zoo will get one green anaconda, one Nile crocodile, one royal python, and one rhinoceros iguana.

Anacondas are found in South America and the rhinoceros iguana is a threatened species of lizard primarily found in the Caribbean whereas the royal python, also known as ball python, is found in sub-Saharan Africa. The Nile crocodile too is from Africa.

These animals will come from the Crocodile Zoo at Falster in Denmark and the Patna zoo will provide eight gharials to the Danish zoo.

The negotiations had been going on for almost two years and the deal has been finalised. The central zoo authority in India has already given its nod for the exchange.

"We are hoping to get these animals in next three to four months as necessary preparations need to be done before bringing them here," Patna zoo director Kamaljeet Singh said on Sunday.

The zoo needs to set up of enclosures for the new guests.

"We have sought guidance from our counterparts in Denmark for this and once the details are available the work on constructing the enclosures will begin," Singh said, adding that zoo employees will get special training for proper handling of the new animals.

The zoo officials have identified three to four spots on its premises for constructing the enclosures but the final call will be taken only after getting the design and other specifications from the Danish authorities.

Spread over 153 acres, Patna zoo at present has over 1,300 animals of 108 species. Out of these, 50 species are endangered. Visited by more than two million people per year on average, the zoo is also home to over 10,000 trees belonging to 150 varieties and a dedicated garden of medicinal plants of 60 varieties.

"I had virtually stopped visiting Patna zoo as there was nothing new to watch there," said Samir Raj, a Class XI student.

"The news regarding arrival of anaconda is really exciting as I have seen this big reptile in movies only. I would love to watch this beautiful snake in its enclosure at the local zoo."