The Central Zoo Authority of India Approved Exchanging White Tigress against Puma Pair from Russia

The Central Zoo Authority of India approved exchanging white tigress from the Delhi Zoo against a pair of puma, which is also called cougar, panther or mountain lion, from the Krasnoyarks Park of flora and fauna, Roev Ruchey in Russia. This pair of puma would arrive soon from Russia. This pair would be among other foreign species such as South American jaguars as well as grey kangaroos which are nestled at National Zoological Park, New Delhi.

The puma weighs approximately 60-100 kg. This is the threatened species and the geographic range of puma is largest than any terrestrial mammal in western hemisphere.

The approval was finalised between India and Russia during 3rd meeting of sub-group on leopard/tiger conservation held in Moscow back in September 2012. As per the agreement, India would provide 1-2 years old white Royal Bengal tigress from the Delhi zoo to the Russian Krasnoyarks Park.

Exchange of these species would happen in 3 months because the documentation from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) administration authorities in Moscow and New Delhi is still under process.

In the past, a pair of grey kangaroos from Australia, a pair of jaguars from South America as well as three African antelopes were introduced in zoo.