Karnataka: Chintu the Hippo Arrives at Kamalapura Zoo
Zoo authorities hope the new addition will enhance the visitor experience and boost footfall at the facility
Hosapete: The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park in Kamalapura has added a new attraction to its growing list of wildlife residents — a six-year-old male hippopotamus named Chintu.
Chintu arrived on Wednesday from the Pilikula Biological Park in Mangaluru as part of an approved animal exchange programme, carried out with due permissions from the Central Zoo Authority in New Delhi.
Zoo authorities hope the new addition will enhance the visitor experience and boost footfall at the facility, which is the only one in the Kalyana Karnataka region to offer a safari experience. “Chintu’s arrival is expected to generate significant interest among tourists and wildlife lovers,” said Dr. Rajesh Naik, Executive Director of the zoo and Deputy Conservator of Forests.
Located about 10 km from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park spans 141 hectares and is home to a variety of animals including tigers, lions, spotted deer, sambar, and barking deer.
