Four cheetahs brought to Bannerghatta zoo from South Africa

BENGALURU: Four new guests — two male and two female cheetahs — arrived at the Bannerghatta zoo in Bengaluru from Induna Primate and Parrot Park ub South Africa around 1.15 am on Saturday. Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre went to the airport and welcomed the four cheetahs.

The minister instructed the officiasl that because these cheetahs will experience a change in environment and climate and hence, proper care must be taken so that they do not face trouble or develop any health issues. The animals will be kept in quarantine, fed prescribed food for 30 days, and checked for any infections. Officials and veterinary officers were instructed to safely transport the animals to Bannerghatta.

The minister instructed Sunil Panwar, Member-Secretary of the Karnataka Zoo Authority, to give top priority to the safety of the cheetahs.  Since the cheetahs will face a change in environment and climate, care is being taken to ensure they do not face any trouble. Appropriate monitoring is being done so that no health problems arise. After health check-ups, they will be shifted to the zoo for public viewing.

At one time, cheetahs, called ‘Sivangi’ in Kannada, existed in Karnataka’s forests. But now they have become extinct in the state’s forests. Therefore, the department has brought them so that people can at least get a chance to see them in zoos.