Initially Turkmenistan was looking for a donation of two elephants from India for their zoo but it was since the latter expressed its inability to do so as gifting of wildlife animals is banned here."So now we have decided to consider the proposal under the zoo to zoo exchange programme," added the minister.The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has been asked to take further necessary action to look out for the zoos from where the elephants can be spared to send to Turkmenistan.India had accorded the heritage animal status to elephants recently to recognise its importance as a part of our heritage since ages and to ensure their protection.There are around 140 elephants in 26 zoos and 16 circuses while an estimated 28,000 in the wilds of forest reserves and national parks, mainly in the southern and northeastern parts of the country. Read the full report here.
Source: IBN Live, New Delhi.
