Four jumbos to fly from Bannerughatta Biological Park to Japanese zoo today
The four Asian elephants, including one male and three female jumbos, will start their journey Thursday to Himeji Central Park-Safari Park at Himeji in Japan.
The exchange of animals is part of a larger multi-exchange programme, where BBP will receive four cheetahs, jaguars, and puma along with three chimpanzees and eight black-capped capuchin monkeys. The elephants chosen for exchange include Suresh (8), Gowri (9), Shruthi (7), and Tulsi (5).
According to an official release, the jumbos will be transported through a Qatar Airways cargo plane from Kempegowda International Airport to Kansai International Airport, Osaka. After 20 hours of journey, the jumbos will land at Himeji on Friday. "Jumbos were trained for the last six months and certified as fit by the veterinarians for travel. Two veterinarians each from Himeji and BBP will accompany the jumbos to Japan along with four animal keepers, one supervisor, and a biologist.
Eight of our officials will camp at Himeji for two weeks to train the elephants in the new environment," explained a senior BBP official.
You Can Also Check:
Bengaluru AQI
|
Weather in Bengaluru
|
Bank Holidays in Bengaluru
|
Public Holidays in Bengaluru
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Chennai should be celebrated for biodiversity: Supriya Sahu
: Since Chennai lies on the Asian flyway for migratory birds, a large number of migratory birds make the city their home from the end of October up until March or April, said Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests. 'Apart from that, the city is also home to beautiful mangroves. Just on the outskirts, or even right within the heart of the city, in places like the Adyar Creek, you'll find dense and thriving mangrove forests,' she said, adding 'How many cities in India can boast of having about 60 hectares of mangroves in an area, like Ennore?' She further said that the city, known for its food, its deep-rooted culture, and rich history, also makes space for extraordinary biodiversity. 'I think we need to celebrate Chennai for the way it welcomes and supports that,' she added. 'There are very few places where I've seen people coexist with nature and wildlife the way they do here. It's incredible that right in the heart of Chennai, you might see pelicans in the Adyar Creek. But I also believe we need to create more spaces like this. We must expand Chennai's wildlife and nature footprint,' she said. (As told to Geetha Srimathi)
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Asian Surfing Championships 2025: Meet the star athletes riding the waves in Mamallapuram
Onlookers watch open-mouthed as an athlete, with the Japanese flag emblazoned on his wetsuit balances deftly on one leg, and juggles three neon balls in the air. This is just the beginning of his warm up. Athletes from South Korea and India are not too far away, calmly working on their own warm-up routines before picking up their surfboards. At Mamallapuram, where the 4th ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025 has kicked off, there are laser-focussed athletes from 19 Asian countries including India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Maldives, Bangladesh and the Philippines ready to take on the waters. Team India is ready too, with eight of its 12 athletes from Tamil Nadu. The championships will take place till August 12. 'What started off as a small CSR activity in Kovalam with two surf schools has now grown to 12 schools there and four here in Mamallapuram. Surfing has grown massively as a leisure sport across India and we have also been focussing on the sporting side of things through the federation,' says Arun Vasu, president, Surfing Federation of India. The setting for the surfing championships is dramatic. On the beach, in front of the Shore Temple, there are athletes patiently waiting their turn and some others, wading into the sea with their surfboards. 'This is not just an amazing UNESCO site, but also a great surf point,' Arun adds, given how Mamallapuram is famed for its consistent waves and its sandbar breaks. Several athletes competing in the Open Men and Women categories as well as the Under-18 categories began to arrive in Mamallapuram a week ago, to quite literally, test the brightly-coloured wetsuits in pinks and blues, and carrying surfboards that are painted with stars, waves and hearts, the athletes mill around the beach, either waiting to paddle in or cheering their teammates on. 'When I met the Indian team in Maldives last year, I was told the waves here were great and I was so excited to come here and surf. We practise a lot in Malaysia and I find the conditions very similar — it makes me feel safe,' says Aniq Kailani, a 20-year old athlete from Singapore having just finished a round of heats. 'The East coast is all about energy, and it is great for growth,' says Ramesh Budihal, a team India athlete. 'During the off-season, I come here to improve my surfing and then go back to the West coast. These waves are high performance; surfers just starting out from the younger generations will quickly pick up the sport. You just need a few basic classes and then with consistent practice,' he adds. Out on the beach, the teams sit under giant umbrellas and a temporary marquee as they train their eyes on the sea. There are some athletes bobbing on the waves and a few others paddling into the sea. As loud announcements mark the start and end of consecutives rounds of heats, the weather slowly becomes unforgivingly hot. This isn't a big challenge though for the surfers, many of whom train in Malaysia, Maldives and Bali. 'I live in Bali and I met several teams here who also train extensively there. It is amazing how surfing manages to connect different cultures and enables all of us to have a big meal afterwards. We are loving the Indian food here,' laughs Naif Alkhatrash, a 48-year-old athlete representing Kuwait. Even if not in equal numbers, there are women surfers from across Asia who are participating in the championships. With many of them being surf instructors themselves, they are hoping things are looking up for better representation of women in the sport. 'In most international competitions, there are probably 20 to 30 women for every 150 men who compete. But it is promising to see a lot of young girls take to surfing now and be excited to learn,' says Shrishti Selvam, a team India athlete who also co-owns Kove surf school in Kovalam. Kovalam and Mamallapuram, she says, are places she has always felt safe at. For 40-year-old Mona Rasidah from Malaysia who has been surfing from the time she was 24, the sport has come to mean a connection with Nature, one she simply cannot let go. 'I teach young girls and women back home and encourage them to go for the shortboard division instead of the longboard division, which is the more classic and popular one,' says the athlete, who laughs and promises that she will still be surfing even at 50. Chennai has had its fair share of young surfing talents over the years, some of whom join young rising stars from across Asia in the U-18 categories in the championships. The young stars are philosophical and wise beyond their years, when asked about the sport. 'I think surfing is way better than video games. You get so many benefits,' says 13-year-old Yousef Fadhil from Saudi Arabia. Tayin Arun, a 16-year-old rising surf star from team India, firmly believes that sport helps one learn a lot about life. 'Surfing is best learned when seen and observed, and all these athletes here have so much experience. I hope to learn a lot from my other competitors,' he says.
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- The Hindu
New menus in Mumbai to try this weekend
In a city that never sits still, it makes sense that its restaurants do not either. Mumbai, with its restless energy and ever-curious diners, thrives on reinvention. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the way restaurants constantly refresh their menus. It is not just about jumping on trends (though there is plenty of that too). It is about staying relevant in a city where nothing stays shiny and new for too long. New menus help draw regulars back in, give first-timers something to be curious about, and keep the kitchen buzzing with creativity. Even if you have your go-to favourites, the thrill of having a new set of choices is hard to resist. It is what keeps the scene dynamic. And if you are wondering what to try next, here are some of the city's newest menus to look forward to — seasonal updates, chef specials, and a few unexpected twists. Otoki, Colaba Introducing a new layer to Mumbai's culinary landscape, Otoki — Colaba's newly opened destination for Japanese dining —unveils its thoughtfully curated lunch menu. Titled The Art of Lunch, this offering reimagines the midday meal as a serene ritual, infused with balance, beauty, and cultural mindfulness. Guided by the Japanese philosophy of washoku (the harmony of food)each dish is crafted with seasonal balance, freshness, and soulful depth. Curated by Chef Mohit Singh, whose culinary journey includes stints at Kikunoi Honten (Kyoto), Indee (Bangkok), and Boury (Belgium), the menu brings together ingredient-led dishes shaped by traditional techniques and modern sensibilities. Guests can expect delicate wan mono (soups), flavour-rich kozara (small plates) like agedashi tofu and katsu fish sando, handcrafted nigiri and maki rolls, ramen, and comforting lunch-friendly offerings with bento boxes and donburi bowls in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties. Ground Floor, Pheroze Building, 5, Apollo Bandar, Colaba; for reservations, call 98331 65555 Lotus Café, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu Adding a burst of aromatic flair to the city's dining calendar, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu teams up with Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, to present Flavors of the Middle East: A Middle Eastern Culinary Showcaseat Lotus Café. Running from August 16 to 24, with a Middle Eastern-inspired Sunday brunch on the 24th, this limited-time festival brings the soul of Levantine and Arabic cuisine to Mumbai. Spearheaded by Sous Chef Rabih El Yantani, a culinary veteran with over three decades of experience in Lebanese and regional kitchens, the menu will include slow-cooked Omani shuwa lamb with saffron rice, grilled kastaleta chops, and tender shish taouk skewers. Mezze classics like hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, falafel, and mana'eesh will set the tone for a leisurely, communal-style meal. The live cooking stations will also feature comforting staples like mujadara and ful medames, along with a seafood platter brimming with lobster, prawns, calamari, and seasonal catch. Lotus Café, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu; reservations via hotel concierge Gallops, Mahalaxmi Racecourse As Mumbai gears up for Navroz, Gallops invites diners to ring in the Parsi New Year with a generous helping of nostalgia, spice, and celebration. From August 12 to 24, their Navroz Special Menu captures the sweet-sour soul of Parsi cuisine. Expect a line-up that is equal parts traditional and tongue-in-cheek. Starters include the green chutney-stuffed, crumb-fried Pestonji's chutney pattice and faredoon na farcha — Gallops' playful tribute to KFC. There is also the aflatoon akuri served with home-baked khari. Mains bring a hearty, homespun flair: the cult-favourite sexy salli boti with melt-in-mouth mutton and crisp potato straws, the aromatic machhi na curry, and dhan dar prawn patio — a triad of dal, rice, and a sweet-sour prawn gravy. For purists and the quietly curious, the secret dhansak daal will hopefully deliver all the comfort of a Parsi Sunday. Desserts are where Gallops truly tugs at the heartstrings — udvada nu mango ice cream, lovji na lagan nu custard, and dudh na puff promise a sugar high. And yes, Parsi Dairy Farm's kulfi makes an appearance, because some things never go out of style. Gallops, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai; reservations via @gallopsmumbai Ishaara, Lower Parel Rediscovering India's regal culinary tapestry, Ishaara, best known for spotlighting overlooked traditions and regional richness, introduces The Gourmet Begum, a new limited-time menu under its swaad initiative. The experience brings to life the lost dastarkhaan of Awadh, reinterpreting age-old dishes through the lens of refined modern gastronomy. Curated by Sunnaeya Kapur, a descendent of one of Lucknow's royal families, the menu stems from rarely seen recipes like arbi ke shaami and kofta-e-gulnar to timeless treasures like galawat kebab and the surprisingly bold lassun ki kheer. Ishaara, Level 1, Palladium Mall, Lower Parel; reservations via @ishaaraindia The Dimsum Room, Kala Ghoda Tucked away in a quiet corner of Kala Ghoda, The Dimsum Room unveils a newly imagined menu that is a soulful tribute to Hong Kong's street-side stalls, tea houses, and fine-dining rooms, reinterpreted for Mumbai by culinary director chef Mrigank Singh. Mrigank's new menu includes over 55 variations, including two standout categories: peking dumplings served in a warm spiced soy broth (think chicken with corn and white pepper or shrimp with chilli crab), and the fiery Sichuan peanut and chilli dressing dumplings with combinations like lamb with soy and mustard leaf or mixed greens with zucchini and chilli. Larger plates include lavish wok-tossed indulgences like lobster butter garlic noodles, Hainanese chicken rice, twice-cooked lamb chops, and a daily-roasted cantonese duck. The bowls section brings comfort and soul with Singaporean curry noodles, dan dan noodles, lou rou fan, and Sichuan eggplant stir-fry. Desserts do not shy away from playfulness either — sweet mango buns, Hong Kong-style french toast, and Mandarin panna cotta end things on a bright note. All of this plays out against the backdrop of The Dimsum Room's much-loved Listening Room, where curated music deepens the dining experience. 3rd floor, Building 30, K Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort; for reservations, call +91 98677 11017 Amaru, Bandra At Amaru, cocktails become storytelling devices. Its newest menu, The Sakura Maru Journey, is a 13-cocktail narrative that takes inspiration from a historic 1899 voyage — when 790 Japanese migrants boarded a ship to Peru. The drinks are divided into chapters, each capturing a different emotion or memory through carefully chosen ingredients. You might start with Toki Tori, a crisp, green apple and jalapeño tequila cocktail that marks the leap into the unknown, or Albahaca, a smoky and herbaceous mezcal drink that evokes the heat of tropical waters. Geisha Style is light and floral, while Heiki Ko folds whiskey and smoked cinnamon into something quietly powerful. Midway through, the drinks grow bolder and more layered — Nikkei Noir blends yuzu, kaffir lime, and wine with whiskey to reflect cultures in collision, and Esta Caliente dials up the heat with a watermelon-and-jalapeño mix that is finished with spicy foam. The menu closes with heavier, darker pours: Imperial Old Fashioned is rich with whiskey and coffee bitters, Con John is fruit-forward with vodka and pomegranate soju, and Peruano, the final sip, layers parmesan-infused mezcal with coconut and pineapple to reflect a land that was once unfamiliar, but is now home. Guests can opt for individual pours or a curated flight of four cocktails (₹2500 plus taxes or ₹3000 plus taxes). Amaru, Bandra West, Mumbai'; reservations via @amaru_mumbai Sixteen33, Bandra The neighbourhood bar that Bandra's been buzzing about has made daytime drinking feel a little more celebratory. Known for its fiery picantes and lively vibe, the bar recently crossed a milestone: over 1,500 picantes poured in a single month. Now, it is showing love back to the community with a new ritual: the Bottomless Picante Brunch, held every Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. At ₹3,000 (plus taxes) per head, guests are treated to unlimited pours that includes everything from sangrias, wines, and gin cocktails to espresso martinis, beer, whiskey sours, vodka-based drinks, and of course, picantes. The food lineup leans indulgent, with a rotating menu that draws from house favourites and bar snacks that hit all the right notes. Think hummus and crispy okra to start, followed by baked nachos, edamame truffle dimsums, thyme-grilled veg and cheese croissant sandwiches, chicken strips, and butter garlic prawns. There's also honey sriracha crispy chicken, chicken and cheese purple dimsums, build-your-own poke bowls, pesto chicken pizza, and classic margherita. 16th and 33rd Cross Rd, Pali Hill, Mumbai; for reservations, call 9758999555
