The Odisha government has decided to bring cassowaries, kangaroos, and wallabies from Australia to the Nandankanan zoo on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

The state government also plans to bring hoolock gibbon, pig-tailed macaque, one-horned rhinoceros, capped langur, spectacled monkey and clouded leopard from the Northeast to this premier zoo.

A proposal to this effect has got the approval of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. "The chief minister has approved a proposal to create world-class amenities for the visitors coming to the zoo. It will be developed in two phases,” said a media statement issued by the chief minister’s office on Friday.

The zoo, which attracts nearly 15 lakh people annually, has 77 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and six species of amphibians. “There are 4,012 animals comprising 161 species," the release added.

The Odisha forest department's proposals approved by the chief minister included creating a water bird aviary, a modern frontage and landscaping, a tunnel aquarium and an immersive enclosure. The zoo will be developed as a nature hub and will focus on attracting children.

It has also been decided to set up Nandankanan Zoo Club and launch a programme called Zoo Ambassador in some selected schools to build awareness about animals among the students. “Besides, different programmes like Citizen Science and Know Your Trees will be launched. A programme will also be launched for children with a motto to create zoo volunteers,” the release said.

Naveen has also approved a proposal wherein the existing infrastructure of the zoo will be redeveloped in two phases. While the first phase will be completed by 2025, the second part will be finished by 2028. In the first phase, the zoo and the botanical garden adjacent to the zoo will be redeveloped. In the second phase, infrastructure will be redeveloped in the nearby Chudanga forest. Night safari will be introduced in the forest.