In December 2025, Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) in Bengaluru successfully imported eight Black-capped Capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) from South Africa as part of an international animal exchange program.
Key Overview
- Origin: The eight monkeys were sourced from the Induna Primate and Parrot Park in South Africa.
- Arrival: They arrived at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on the night of December 14, 2025.
- Composition: The group consists of an equal ratio of four males and four females, intended to support a balanced and healthy future breeding population.
- Status: As of mid-December 2025, the monkeys are in a designated quarantine facility for mandatory health checks and observation before public introduction.
Strategic Objectives
- Genetic Diversity: The import aims to enhance the genetic pool and breeding potential of the park’s captive primate population.
- Conservation Management: This exchange strengthens BBP’s role in global conservation-oriented zoological practices and scientific research.
- Behavioural Enrichment: Introducing new individuals is expected to increase the variety of social behaviours among the park’s primates.
Regulatory Compliance
The import followed strict regulations and protocols. Necessary approvals were obtained from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in New Delhi. No Objection Certificates were also secured from relevant authorities including the State Chief Wildlife Warden and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. To ensure biosecurity, the animals underwent inspection and quarantine in South Africa and received final clearance from Animal Quarantine Services to prevent the spread of diseases.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
With reference to the proposed Forest University in India, consider the following statements:
I. The university will function as a specialized institution focused exclusively on forest sciences and wildlife research.
II. To strictly implement the National Forest Policy of 1988 within the state’s borders
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) I only
b) II only
c) Both I and II
d) Neither I nor II
Answer: a
Explanation: Statement I is Correct because the proposed university in Gorakhpur is specifically designed to function as India’s first dedicated forest university, focusing exclusively on a wide range of forest sciences, wildlife studies, ecology, climate change, and environmental sustainability. Statement II is Incorrect: The National Forest Policy of 1988 is a national policy that sets a goal for the entire country to have 33% of its total geographical area under forest or tree cover. It is a policy objective and framework, not something a single university is established to “strictly implement within the state’s borders” as its primary function. While the university will support the broader goals of forest conservation and management through research and education, the policy itself is a national mandate, and its implementation involves various government bodies, not a single university’s direct enforcement.
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