Kolkata, Jul 10 (PTI) Alipore Zoo here will soon add a green anaconda to its collection, director Arun Mukhopadhyay said on Thursday.
The giant snake will be brought by road from Madras Crocodile Bank in Chennai, following the necessary clearance from the Central Zoo Authority.
"With this addition, the total number of anacondas at Alipore Zoo will rise to 21, including several baby reptiles," Mukhopadhyay added.
The green anaconda — a full-grown adult — will be housed in the zoo’s special transparent enclosure designed for anacondas.
The enclosure, built about two years ago, has become a major attraction among visitors, especially children.
Mukhopadhyay said in the past the zoo had only yellow anacondas, all brought from the same crocodile bank.
In exchange, the zoo has gifted a Banded Krait to the crocodile bank.
Several Hollywood horror films have been made on anacondas, sparking widespread interest in the species, which is typically associated with the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
The green anaconda feeds on small animals, which the zoo will supply regularly as part of its standard diet plan.
Once brought to Kolkata, our vets will check the reptile and keep it under observation for a few days before being brought in public view, the senior zoo official said.