Agartala: Sipahijala zoo authorities will soon launch a project of captive breeding of four endangered animals -- spectacles monkey, clouded leopard, binturong and pigtailed macaque, official sources said here on Tuesday. All the four species of animals are found in Tripura but they are virtually on the verge of extinction elsewhere in the country. This is the first time the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has adopted captive breeding of endangered species as part of national programme to protect the animals from extinction. The CZA has given its nod to go ahead with the programme, Sipahijala Wildlife Warden Rajat Kanti Das said here on Tuesday. The programme will commence very soon, he said adding that the CZA had identified 35 zoos across the country to conserve 61 species of endangered animals. After declaring the zoo as national park for clouded leopard early this year, the zoo authority has sent a comprehensive plan for infrastructure building. According to the last census (October, 2007), the number of Clouded Leopard in the zoo stands at 15. "This figure is highest among the others zoos in the country," he said. The zoo authority has also almost completed an agreement with Patna Zoo to receive one female rhino under the exchange programme to give company to the lone male rhino in the zoo. "In return, the Sipahijala Zoo authorities will give three pairs of clouded leopard and pigtailed macaque to the Patna Zoo," he said.