more-in The renovated aquarium at the city zoo is likely to be one of the best aquariums in south India, Minister for Zoos K. Raju has said. He was speaking at a function to inaugurate the aquarium and enclosure of gaur and laying of the foundation stone for a butterfly park and an office-cum-store for the zoo here on Thursday. The Minister said though structurally small, the beautifully designed aquarium would provide enough opportunities for the public to view and study the fish and other marine creatures. The aquarium had been well landscaped too as part of the ?2-crore project. These developments were a step forward in the development of the zoo, he said, and would help attract more footfall. The arrival of animals such as giraffe, white lion, and jaguar from Africa in the months ahead would further draw visitors to the zoo. The Minister also honoured zoo employees who had rushed into a lion enclosure at great risk to their lives to rescue a man who had jumped inside. The aquarium has fish such as lion fish, pompano, bamboo shark, clown fish, wrasse, Moorsh idol, jelly fish, tiger shark shivel-nosed cat fish, arapaima, alligator gar, and others. Zoo Director K. Gangadharan said the fish had been displayed in 21 big tanks that were 10-15 ft long. The tanks had been provided with lighting that would allow the fish to be seen even after nightfall, thus drawing more visitors. Though the gaur had an enclosure, it had been given a new one in keeping with the Central Zoo Authority-approved master plan to house Western Ghats species together. The gaur enclosure was completed at a cost of ?1.87 crore. The upcoming butterfly park would be designed in association with the Travancore Natural History Society. The multi-storey office-cum store building would cost ?2.7 crore. K. Muraleedharan, MLA; Palayam Rajan, councillor; Zoo Secretary Anil Xavier; and Culture Additional Secretary Geetha K. were present.

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