Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park has written to Central Zoo Authority (CZA) seeking mandatory approval to bring four cheetahs from South Africa’s Induna Primate and Parrot Park in North West province.Nandankanan authorities say after CZA approval, it will seek permission from the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to bring the animals, rare species, through a trans-oceanic voyage. “We have formally written to the CZA to get its approval for the cheetah project. It is a prerequisite to get the DGFT permission to bring animals from a foreign nation,” says Nandankanan deputy director Pradeep Mirase.Earlier, the Nandankanan authorities had confirmed that one pair each of male and female African cheetahs will be transported by ship to Odisha rather than a cargo plane.The zoo officials said sourcing the animals, handling, crating services, transportation and documentation will cost the state govt Rs 2 crore — the total cost of cheetah project till the animals are brought. Out of the Rs 2 crore, one-fourth (Rs 50 lakh) will likely be spent on shipment. Had it been air cargo, the amount would have been more than double, escalating beyond Rs 1 crore.The Nandankanan authorities said to bring the cheetahs in a ship, they will need one container and four separate cages of a standard size (which will be specified as per international norms).The zoo authorities said the implementing agency for the animal acquisition was chosen through a tender process, following prescribed procedure. After receiving govt approval, the agency was formally awarded the work to procure the four cheetahs.Official sources said cheetahs were not seen in any forest or wildlife sanctuary in the state in the past 60 years. Currently, the species is found in the wild and captivity in south and north Africa, besides some zoos in India.Cheetahs, which are very agile and run as fast as 120km per hour, follow their prey, make it restless and then hunt. So, they require plain, meadow-rich land for hunting. Considering their nature and environment, they will acclimatise well, and facilities accordingly have been created at the Nandankanan zoo.
