June 10: If the Assam state zoo strikes a successful deal with Aizawl Zoo, then the lonely male hoolock gibbon will soon get his mate.

The state zoo is holding parleys with the Aizawl Zoo on an exchange programme wherein the Assam zoo will give away a pair of leopards in exchange of a female hoolock gibbon.

The Assam state zoo had initiated the proposal as it is eagerly looking for a partner for the male hoolock gibbon. “

The deal is almost settled and there should not be any problem because both zoos are in the same region,” a senior Assam zoo official said.

The state zoo is seeking permission from the Central Zoo Authority to expedite the process.

This is the first time that the Assam state zoo has struck a deal with the Aizawl Zoo, another important zoo in the region.

The animals will be thoroughly inspected before the exchange takes place.

“As the hoolock gibbon is an endangered species, we do not want to take any chances,” the official said.

The Aizawl Zoo has plenty of leopards and it will not be a problem for the zoo to give away a couple of them.

The zoo has rescued a number of leopards from different parts of the city.

Recently, the Assam zoo procured a female stumped macaque from the Shillong Zoo.

The state is waiting for a response from the Singapore Zoo for starting an exchange programme.

Sources said the Central Zoo Authority would have the final say in the matter and it would look into all possible angles before giving permission.

“There are rules and regulations guiding any exchange programme and they will have to be followed even if it involves a state zoo,” an official in the Central Zoo Authority said.