Siddharth Zoo, nestled within Siddharth Garden, is preparing for a major transition—its relocation to the new, expansive Zoological Park coming up in Mitmita. As part of this strategic move, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) has initiated steps to enhance the zoo’s wildlife collection with tigers.

In the next few weeks, a new batch of animals—a pair of lions, foxes, and bears—will arrive from the Shivamogga Zoo and Safari in Karnataka. In return, CSMC will transfer three of its prized tigers. This reciprocal arrangement has already received the nod from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), with formal approval reaching the municipal body on Saturday.

Currently, Siddharth Zoo is home to 12 tigers, including seven Bengal (yellow) tigers and five rare white tigers. The Shivamogga facility had requested two yellow tigers and one white tiger in exchange for their lions, bears, and foxes. Since CSMC’s zoo does not house any lions, the deal was considered beneficial and accepted without hesitation.

Zoo officials from both cities submitted the necessary documentation to the CZA, which gave the green signal on Friday. Chief Garden Superintendent Vijay Patil confirmed that under Administrator G Sreekanth’s guidance, an inspection team will soon head to Shivamogga to verify the health of the incoming animals. A counterpart team from Shivamogga will inspect the tigers in Sambhajinagar before the swap is finalized.