Five Indian grey wolves brought to Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari in Shivamogga from Patna under an animal exchange programme were shifted from quarantine to the exhibit area on Monday.

The Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari had procured eight wolves and four gharials last month from Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna in exchange for two male Indian gaurs.

The wolves were kept in quarantine to help them acclimatise to local weather conditions, enable zoo staff to observe their behaviour, and complete the mandatory husbandry and animal-care protocols. Of these, four wolves have now been released into the exhibit area.

With the addition of the Indian grey wolves, the number of animal species at the zoo has gone up to 37. V.M. Amarakshara, Executive Director of the Shivamogga Zoo, said the zoo was currently classified in the small-zoo category, but that reaching 37 species would help it meet the criteria required to claim medium-zoo status.