From Kolkata to Hyderabad, it’s an arduous journey for giraffe duo

  • | Thursday | 21st February, 2019

“The plan is to avoid travelling through cities and towns, so we will be taking highways. HYDERABAD: A five-day road trip would test the patience of even the most seasoned road traveller, and one can only imagine how unsettling it can be for the tallest living quadruped that stands over 12-ft tall. The giraffes are undergoing crate training before the transit. The journey will take about five-six days because we cannot exceed 25 or 30 km/hour speed limit while transporting the animals.” He said, “There are no overhead obstructions since we will be taking the National Highways. The National Highway Authority of India rules allow crates that are 22-ft in height on highways.“The survey has declared the transit of the two giraffes safe,” said Dr Hakeem, deputy director and zoo veterinarian at Nehru Zoological Park.

HYDERABAD: A five-day road trip would test the patience of even the most seasoned road traveller, and one can only imagine how unsettling it can be for the tallest living quadruped that stands over 12-ft tall. But there’s no other way to get the two giraffes to Hyderabad from 1,500 kilometres away in Kolkata, except for a road trip.In a huge exercise, the zoo and forest departments of Telangana and West Bengal conducted a detailed road survey from Kolkata to Hyderabad as authorities from Nehru Zoological Park gear up to welcome two young giraffes in the first week of March.The road survey has been conducted to check for overhead obstructions as the giraffes will be travelling from Kolkata’s Alipore Zoological Garden in 14-ft tall crates, which will be placed on a low-bed trailer truck. The National Highway Authority of India rules allow crates that are 22-ft in height on highways.“The survey has declared the transit of the two giraffes safe,” said Dr Hakeem, deputy director and zoo veterinarian at Nehru Zoological Park. “The plan is to avoid travelling through cities and towns, so we will be taking highways. The journey will take about five-six days because we cannot exceed 25 or 30 km/hour speed limit while transporting the animals.” He said, “There are no overhead obstructions since we will be taking the National Highways. A few obstructions inside the city will be taken care of.”While the three-and-half-years-old male giraffe is about 13-ft tall, the two-and-half-year-old female stands at 12 ft.Handlers said they will do their best to keep the animals calm and comfortable on what could be a stressful journey.“Two 14-ft-tall crates are being custom-built at the Kolkata zoo. The giraffes are undergoing crate training before the transit. They are being given food and water in special bowls inside the crates,” said Dr Hakeem.“To reduce panic and stress while travelling, we will administer them anti-stress medication,” he said.Nehru Zoological Park curator, Kshitija, said they will send a team to Kolkata to accompany the giraffes.“We will send two veterinarians from here, while Kolkata zoo will send its doctor along with a team of caretakers,” said Kshitija.

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