Lions, emus new attractions at Thiruvananthapuram zoo

Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo now has a few more attractions, including a pair of lions. Public viewing of the lions, which were named Leo and Nyla, was allowed from Thursday.

The naming of the lions – a five-year-old male and six-year-old female- was done by Minister J Chinchurani. The two lions were brought to Thiruvananthapuram Zoo from Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The two lions are housed in an open cage.

Prior to the arrival of Leo and Nyla, the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo had a lioness named Gracy and a lion named Ayush. Gracy lived in the open cage and was shifted to another cage when the new lions from Tirupati reached Thiruvananthapuram. Ayush, who is in an advanced age, is currently undergoing treatment at the Zoo Hospital.

Leo and Nyla were brought to Thiruvananthapuram after a three-month quarantine in Tirupati and will undergo another 20-day quarantine in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo. Both animals are healthy, said zoo officials.

The two new lions in the open cage would offer a unique viewing experience for visitors, especially children, said minister Chinchurani.

Other attractions
Thiruvananthapuram Zoo had received a pair of emu birds also from Tirupati along with the lions. These birds were also shifted to a cage on Thursday.

At the same time, one among the two Hanuman (gray) langurs which also were transferred from Tirupati had managed to escape from the cage two days ago and is currently perched on a tree on the zoo premises.

“A pair of white peacocks and wild fowl will also be brought to Thiruvananthapuram Zoo soon,” said an official.

Those who were present at the naming ceremony of the lions included local legislator V K Prasanth and Museum Director K Abu.