“This is indeed good news for us all. Now Darjeeling zoo has become the only one in the country to house and showcase the Siberian tiger, Royal Bengal tiger and white tiger. Visitors will have a unique experience,” said West Bengal Minister for Forests Birbaha Hansda, adding, “This was part of an exchange programme with the Hyderabad zoo.”

According to officials, PNHZP sent a pair each of Royal Bengal tigers, golden pheasants, silver pheasants, Lady Amherst pheasants and Chir pheasants to the Hyderabad zoo and, in exchange, received a pair each of white tigers and golden jackals.

White tigers are a rare variety of Royal Bengal tigers because of their unique pigmentation. Though much sought-after by visitors, they are found only in a few zoos.

The male white tiger Akash and female Nagamani were brought in special ambulances, escorted by zoo officials and veterinarians. “They are in good health and are currently kept in separate quarantined exclosures. Visitors can view them after a month,” said zoo director Basavrao Holeyachi.

At present, Darjeeling zoo has two Siberian tigers, one Royal Bengal tiger and two white tigers. The Siberian tigers arrived from Pafos Zoo in Cyprus in December last year.

Established in August 1958, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the largest high-altitude zoo in the country. It has been successful in the conservation breeding of 10 animals, including red pandas, snow leopards and blue sheep.