Delhi Zoo Welcomes Smooth-Coated Otters After Two Decades

Smooth-coated otters are set to return to Delhi Zoo after 20 years as part of an animal exchange with Surat Zoo. Along with otters, the zoo will receive star tortoises, while exchanging sangai deer, macaws, and conures. Previous animal deaths have prompted efforts to introduce new species.

Delhi Zoo is welcoming smooth-coated otters back after a two-decade absence, as part of an exchange with Surat Zoo that will see the arrival of otters and star tortoises. This initiative aims to boost species diversity following recent animal deaths at the zoo.

The exchange program involves Delhi Zoo sending sangai deer, two blue-and-yellow macaws, and four green-cheeked conures to Surat. Another exchange with Lucknow Zoo for swamp deer in return for chinkara has also been finalized, according to Delhi Zoo director Sanjeet Kumar.

Efforts to replenish animal species coincide with ongoing talks to acquire more lions, leopards, and a Himalayan black bear from other zoos. The recent losses include a leopard, a jaguar, a nilgai, and a sangai deer. The zoo, a national model since 1959, currently houses 95 species.