Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram zoo has welcomed three zebras from Gujarat’s Vantara, bringing the animals back to the zoo after a gap of nearly nine years. The arrival is expected to become a major attraction for visitors, particularly during the Onam festival season when the zoo typically draws large crowds.
The three zebras reached Thiruvananthapuram early Thursday morning following a journey of nearly two-and-a-half days by road from the Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Vantara in Gujarat. Zoo officials said the animals were transported in a specially equipped animal ambulance under the supervision of a 13-member team led by a veterinary surgeon from Vantara.
The group arrived in the Kerala capital at around 5.15 am. A police escort vehicle accompanied the convoy after it entered Kerala, helping ensure that the animals could complete the long journey without unnecessary interruptions.
Zebras Return to Thiruvananthapuram Zoo After Nine Years
The return of zebras marks an important moment for the Thiruvananthapuram zoo, which has not housed the animals since 2017. The zoo’s previous zebra, Sita, died due to old age. Sita had been brought to Thiruvananthapuram from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, Chennai, in April 2002.
For years, children visiting the zoo had expressed a desire to see zebras again. Zoo Superintendent T V Anil Kumar said that long-standing demand had finally been met with the arrival of the three new animals.
The latest arrivals include two three-year-old female zebras and one five-year-old male. Zoo authorities are also considering steps such as giving names to the animals, although a final decision has not yet been announced.
Zebra Arrival Seen as an Onam Attraction
State Health and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan described the return of zebras as an Onam gift for visitors. Speaking after inaugurating the visitor entry area for the new arrivals, he said the return of the animals after several years was a moment of happiness and would add to the attraction of the zoo during the festive season.
The timing is particularly significant as Onam is one of Kerala’s most important festivals, with families and children visiting popular public attractions during the holidays. The presence of zebras is expected to provide an additional reason for visitors to spend time at the zoo.
Zebras Undergo 21-Day Open Quarantine
Although the zebras are now available for visitors to see, zoo officials said the animals will remain under a 21-day open quarantine period as part of the standard process following their transfer.
Zoo veterinary surgeon Dr Nikesh Kiran said all three zebras were in good health after reaching Kerala. They were, however, showing some tiredness following the lengthy road journey. Officials will continue to monitor their condition as they become accustomed to their new environment.
To help the animals settle into their new surroundings, Vantara also sent a two-week supply of Timothy grass, which is a type of hybrid grass used as animal feed. Initially, the grass will be combined with locally available hay. The gradual change in diet is intended to help the zebras adjust comfortably to the food available at their new home.
Also read: Vantara Foundation Proposes Three Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centres in Assam
Thiruvananthapuram Zoo to Send Animals to Vantara
The transfer is part of an animal exchange arrangement between the two facilities. In return for the zebras, the Thiruvananthapuram zoo will send a male lion-tailed macaque and a king cobra to Vantara in Gujarat.
The exchange is intended to support the management and conservation of animals across zoological and rescue facilities while allowing participating institutions to diversify their animal collections under applicable regulations.
The zebra transfer was coordinated with support from both sides, with the Vantara team travelling with the animals throughout the journey. Zoo Director Manjula Devi and other zoo staff members were present during the programme marking the arrival.
With the return of zebras after almost a decade, the Thiruvananthapuram zoo is set to offer visitors a sight that had been missing from its animal collection for years. For children and families who have long waited to see the striped animals at the zoo, their arrival comes at an especially significant time, just as the Onam season brings renewed public interest in one of the city’s best-known attractions.