The National Zoo Authority has approved the addition of four tigers to the Sambalpur Zoo, necessitating the construction of new enclosures. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan laid the foundation stone for the enclosure construction on Monday.
The four tigers will be relocated to Sambalpur from other zoos. A 1,500 square meter enclosure is planned for their accommodation. Furthermore, Minister Pradhan also laid the foundation stone for a separate enclosure to house both gharial and mugger crocodiles.
The former Sambalpur Deer Park, which received zoo status in 2023, currently houses 17 species of wild animals, including one striped tiger. State Panchayat Raj Minister Ravi Naik was also present at the foundation stone ceremony.