Tripura’s Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is all set to receive two Royal Bengal Tigers and 14 other animals from Bengal Safari, Siliguri, as part of an animal exchange programme.
The new arrivals are expected to reach Sepahijala on Monday, creating a buzz among the wildlife enthusiasts in the state.
According to an official, the animal exchange programme involves sending 12 animals from Sepahijala to North Bengal, and bringing 16 animals from there to Tripura. The animals that are coming to Sepahijala include two Royal Bengal Tigers (one male and one female), two leopards (one male and one female), four golden pigeons, four silver pigeons, two peafowls and two hill Mynas (one male and one female each).
The official said that the animals are already in transit, and they are being accompanied by a team of forest officers and veterinarians. He added that the animals that are going to North Bengal from Sepahijala are two lions, two spectacle monkeys, two leopard cats and four blackbucks.
The official also informed that the Sepahijala wildlife sanctuary will remain closed for the visitors on February 6 and 7, to ensure the safety and smooth transfer of the animals. He said that the new animals will be kept in quarantine for 30 days, as per the protocol, before they are introduced to the public.
He expressed hope that the presence of Royal Bengal Tigers and other new animals in Sepahijala will boost the tourism potential of the sanctuary, which is already home to a variety of flora and fauna. He said that the animal exchange programme will also help in the conservation and breeding of the endangered species.
Meanwhile, it is being reported that the convoy carrying the royal Bengal tigers and other animals crossed the Churaibari check post on Sunday evening, and they are expected to reach Sepahijala by Monday morning.
He said that the forest department has made all the necessary arrangements for the safe and comfortable journey of the animals.