New birds being released in the zoo. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

Aug. 6: The Guwahati zoo is set to add new feathers to its cap. As part of the ongoing drive to give the zoo a new look, the authorities are acquiring several species of exotic birds, including silver pheasants.

The birds will arrive from the Delhi zoo as part of an animal exchange programme. Apart from the exotic birds, the zoo will also acquire various animals from Singapore like puma, zebra, red lechew, chimpanzee, orangutang and annoa.

From Thailand, it will get three chimpanzees and two orang-outangs.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved the exchange of two pairs of tigers from Mysore zoo with a cassowary, a flightless exotic bird, from Assam.

Officials said the zoo would give away seven leopard cats in exchange of the silver pheasants.

The exotic birds are not found in India, but have a strong presence in southern China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. According to zoo officials, the silver pheasants breed well in captivity.

Divisional officer of the Assam State Zoo Narayan Mahanta said it has 25 leopard cats and is in a position to dispose of seven for the pair of pheasants. He had approached director of Delhi Zoo B.S. Bonal for the pheasants and the latter had readily agreed. Mahanta added that talks were on to procure more animals, but refused to reveal the species.

“It is good to exchange animals, which breed well, in order to maintain the genetic pool,” Mahanta said.

The habitat of the bird is grasslands as well as bamboo, evergreen and deciduous forests.

Silver pheasants begin to lay eggs relatively early from among birds. It starts breeding from the second year, but first-year birds are often fertile. They feed on fruits, seeds, shoots, insects, worms, small reptiles, tubers and bulbs.

“I have requested the Delhi Zoo director to pay us a visit and take the leopard cats. This might improve the relationship between the Assam and the Delhi zoos,” Mahanta said. A few birds, including a parakeet, a fishing eagle and a hill mynah, were shifted to new enclosures today.

Several enclo-sures are being revamped to provide better living conditions to the inmates.