Vadodara: Since the time it was established in 1879, the Sayajibaug zoo never had a separate enclosure for serpents. Barodians, however, will now be able to see a variety of slithering serpents from up close. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has decided to make a serpent’s section in the zoo. A plan is being chalked out to make the enclosure that will then be sent to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).“When the VMC decided to refurbish the zoo, we did a small survey among the visitors about the things they liked during their visit. We also asked what they would like to see more in the zoo. Serpents ranked among the top three species the visitors preferred,” said Pratyush Patankar, zoo curator.“So, it was decided to start a serpents’ section. We also have crocodiles and ghariyals in reptiles category but we never had a serpent’s enclosure. Once operational, we hope to attract more tourists,” Patankar told TOI. Among others, the serpents’ enclosure will have trinket snake, wine snake, common wolf snake, spectacled cobra, Indian rock python, red sand boa, common sand boa and rat snake.“We will seek permission for keeping a dozen different species. The snakes and pythons will be kept in glass boxes giving a close view to the visitors. The enclosure will come up on an unused piece of land opposite the zoo gate. We plan to make the enclosure’s entry resembling a snake’s open jaw,” Patankar added.The entire zoo is already undergoing a major makeover as the enclosures of lions and tigers are being made as per international standards. The big cats will soon be seen roaming in open land that will be separated from the visitors’ area by a deep moat. The zoo authorities are also planning to bring in a pair of white tigers.

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