Black panther returns to vizag zoo after four decades, set for public display tuesday

Visakhapatnam: The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park will welcome back a rare attraction on Tuesday, April 21, as a female black panther is formally released into its new enclosure. The event ends a 40-year gap since the species was last on display at the zoo.

The panther arrived last month from the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden in Guwahati as part of an inter-zoo exchange programme aimed at enhancing species diversity and conservation efforts. Since her arrival, she has been under observation by zoo veterinarians and keepers to ensure she acclimatized well to her new environment.

The formal release will be conducted by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, P.V. Chalapathi Rao, at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Zoo authorities shared the update through an Instagram post on Monday, inviting the public to witness the milestone.

Black panthers, a melanistic colour variant of the Indian leopard, are rarely seen in captivity and remain a major draw for visitors. Zoo officials said the new addition will help boost awareness about big cat conservation and the importance of habitat protection.