Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Aug 31 - A zoo of the state-run Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) in Chhattisgarh's Bhilai town recorded a high turnout Sunday as visitors thronged to have a glimpse of the rare Brazilian marmoset monkeys that were recovered here only the previous day after being stolen from a Kolkata zoo.

The common marmoset which are about 16 cm tall and weigh no more than 500 grams were the star attraction as people even from the remotest parts of Chhattisgarh thronged here to see them before they are sent back to the Kolkata-based Alipore zoo from where they were stolen Aug 8.

'It was the largest ever visitors' gathering Sunday at Maitri Bagh zoo since 1972 when it was set up,' said an official of the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) horticulture department that manages the zoo.