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M I Khan in Bhubaneswar

Following widespread protests against and criticism of the move to shift several big cats from Nandankanan zoo to Andhra Pradesh, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has assured the people that it is a temporary measure.

Patnaik said the government would set up a second zoo in the state. "Once the zoo is ready, we will bring back all the animals which have been shifted," he promised.

Government sources said Patnaik took this decision to ward off the criticism over the shifting of 12 tigers, including five white ones, and 15 lions to zoos across the country.

In fact, the criticism has become shriller following the death of a lion while being transported to Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district on Saturday.

Patnaik directed the officials concerned to complete on a war footing all the paperwork relating to the setting up of a second zoo. The zoo will be set up at Laxmidungri in Sambhalpur district.

The proposal to set up the second zoo was floated in the first week of September at a high-level meeting convened by Patnaik to review the activities of the forests and environment department.

The government will need clearance from the Central Zoo Authority to set up the second zoo.

Forests and Environment Secretary H S Chahar said that while details were yet to be worked out, work on the second zoo would begin soon and it is expected to be ready within a year.

A press release from the chief minister's office said the proposed zoo would be spread over 120 hectares and would be situated close to the national highway connecting Sambhalpur and Hirakud. It will include a lion safari, a white tiger safari and a deer safari. The safaris will accommodate at least 10 lions and white tigers each.

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