7 mighty anacondas find their way into Kerala zoo

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 13: The Thiruvanathapuram zoo has become the fourth zoological park in the country to have anacondas, the longest and heaviest snake variety.

Seven green anacondas, six of them females and one male, brought from Sri Lanka, will soon be on display for viewers after the reptiles become well acclimatised with the local temperature, zoo authorities said.

Though the Mysore and Hyderabad Zoos and the Crocodile Bank in Chennai already have the ferocious reptile variety, the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is having the highest number of them.

The snakes arrived here safely on Thursday from Dehiwala Zoo in Sri Lanka as part of an animal exchange programme.

"Though three other zoological parks in the country already have anaconda, we have now the highest number of Green Anacondas. Reptile buffs as well as general enthusiasts in the state can now have an opportunity to have a close look at them," Zoo Director B Joseph said.

He said the upkeep of these snakes was a great challenge as it needed special care compared to other reptiles.

"We have to keep them in a 27 degree Celsius temperature. Special care should be given until they get accustomed to the natural temperature and surroundings here," he said.

The snakes would be displayed at the exhibition area within one month after getting approval from quarantine and certification services authorities, the official added.

Anacondas have become a nightmare of people, especially children, after the release of a 1997 Hollywood movie in the same name.

One of the oldest zoological parks in the country, Thiruvananthapuram zoo, located in the heart of the city, has a large number of animals like tiger, leopard, rhinoceros, Asiatic lions and elephants, besides a separate avian enclosure having Indian Peafowl, White Spoonbill and Cassowary.

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Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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