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Dandaka aranya
' Dandaka aranya' is a forest mentioned in the Ramayana. Lord Rama , Seeta and Lakshmana construct a dwelling in the Chitrakoota forest and decide to spend the fourteen years of vanavas there itself , but due to its proximity to the Kingdom of Ayodhya they are often visited by friends and well wishers , who try to persuade them to return to Ayodhya. After discussing with the learned sages Lord Rama decides to move to an area called 'Dandaka aranya' which lies in the deepest part of the forest. This is the place from where Seeta is abducted by Ravana and Rama begins his quest to get her back.

The Hyena enclosure in the zoo has been named as the Dandaka aranya.

Dandaka aranya - The Hyena enclosure
Striped Hyena

Scientific name : Hyaena hyaena
Common names : Hindi : hundar ; Tamil : kalada korate ; Telugu : Dommala gundu .
Characters : Dog like build massive head and fore-body , weak hindquarters , heavy dorsal crest of long hairs , sharply defined from the rest of the coat distinguish the hyena .
Size : 150 cm length , 90 cm height , 38.5 kg weight , female weighs around 10 kg less .Transverse stripes on the body and limbs are usually well defined .
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Habitat : India , southwestern Asia , northern Africa .
Habits : Abundantly found in open country it is rarely seen in the forest . Holes and caves offer shelter to these animals . Their quest for food starts in the night . The coarser remains of other animals' kills are usually preferred because of its powerful jaws and teeth . Though scavengers by profession , performing useful services as such , hyenas do not feed only on carrion , occasionally sheep and goats and stray dogs are carried off . Some individuals get habituated to cattle killing and lifting of the hapless children of the forest fringe villages . The weird laughing chatter of the hyena is very distinctive
Jambavantha vanam
Jambavantha is a minister in the court of the monkey king Sugreeva . He is depicted as a bear . He lives with Sugreeva on the Rishyamukha mountain when he is banished by Vali . Jambavantha plays an important role in the Ramayana by advising Sugreeva to become friends with Rama as it would be beneficial to both of them. When Hanuman is required to fetch the Sanjeevini herb , Jambavantha inspires Hanuman and reminds him of his powers and boosts his confidence.

Jambavantha is also mentioned in the Mahabharatha where he engages in a battle with Lord Krishna who is interested in a divine gemstone called 'Samantaka mani' . Ultimately Lord Krishna defeats Jambavantha and reveals his true self as an incarnation of Vishnu. Jambavantha happily relinquishes the divine gemstone and also gives his daughter Jambavanti as a bride to Sri Krishna.

Jambavantha vanam - the bear enclosure
Sloth bear

Scientific name : Melursus ursinus
Common names : Hindi bhalu ; Tamil karadee ; Telugu elugubanti ;
Characters : The muzzle and lower lip are elongated and the long hair is unkempt . The hind legs are short and most bears have a whitish v shaped breast patch . The claws , always longer on the forefeet are ivory white . The coat may have a brownish tinge , more rarely it is wholly brown .
Size : 65-85 cm height (at shoulder) , 140-170 cm length , 127-145 kg weight .
Habitat : Forested tracts of India and Assam from the base of the Himalayas to Srilanka .
Habits : Sloth bears live where there is sufficient forest to provide food , and favour places where outcropping of rock and tumbled boulders offer them shelter during the hot weather and the rains. They come out shortly before sunset , hunt for food all night , and retire in the morning . Their food consists mainly fruits and insects ,but a hungry Sloth Bear may be driven to eat carrion . Honey is the most sought after .
Mating is usually in the hot weather and most of the young are born seven months later between December and January . The cubs , when sufficiently strong to grip , are carried on the mother's back to and from her feeding grounds . She grows savage and quick to attack in their defense . The cubs live with their mother for 2 to 3 years . Sloth bears has lived in captivity for about 40 years .