Nandankanan Zoo unveils India's first exotic primate enclosure complex

Bhubaneswar, Nov 10: A new exotic primate enclosure complex has been unveiled at Nandankanan Zoological Park near Bhubaneswar. The facility was inaugurated on Sunday by Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia.

This state-of-the-art complex is designed to accommodate seven species of exotic primates, including the Cotton Top Tamarin, Golden Handed Tamarin, Siamang, Black Tufted Marmoset, Common Marmoset, Geoffroy’s Marmoset, and Squirrel Monkey.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Susanta Nanda shared photos and a video of the enclosure on social media, describing it as the only facility in India to feature species like the Cotton Top Tamarin and Geoffroy’s Marmoset. The primates were introduced to Nandankanan with support from the SN Mohanty Group, Barbil, Keonjhar, under the zoo’s “Patron of Nandankanan” initiative.

Spanning 13,665 square feet, the Rs 1.75 crore complex includes seven enclosures tailored to mimic natural habitats. It features species-specific enrichments, 18 feeding cells, and 10 back kraals to ensure the animals' well-being.

Earlier this year, four Common Marmosets—two males and two females—were transported from Hyderabad. After a period of quarantine, they were relocated to the newly designed complex.