Guwahati, 18th December: During a heartwarming visit to the Assam State Zoo, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared tender moments with the newest resident, a giraffe calf named ‘Parijat,’ along with other animals. The female calf, marking the first giraffe birth in the zoo, faced initial challenges after being rejected by her mother. However, dedicated caregivers stepped in, ensuring Parijat thrived on a daily diet of 7.5 liters of milk.
CM Sarma, during his visit on December 9, 2023, was photographed feeding Parijat with a bottle, capturing the precious moment shared on social media. The name ‘Parijat’ was selected through a lottery from nearly 350 suggestions submitted after the chief minister called for name ideas.
In addition to spending time with the giraffe, CM Sarma paid a courtesy call to orangutans Panoi and Jonki, rare species recently rescued from smugglers. The chief minister expressed plans to develop the Guwahati Zoo into one of the country’s finest, with a proposed budget of Rs 350 crore awaiting approval.
This initiative aligns with a broader vision to enhance the zoo’s facilities and showcase more animals to the public. CM Sarma’s visit emphasized the zoo’s conservation efforts and showcased the bond between humans and animals, as seen in the gentle interaction with giraffe calf Parijat.