from the MEMBER SECRETARY
Ex-situ conservation is perhaps more challenging than in-situ conservation as it requires intensive management to ensure the overall welfare of captive animals. Fortunately, the zoos of our KUL DE O SUL R 0LQLVWHU RI WDWH IRU (QYLURQPHQW )RUHVW country have evolved suitably with DQG &OLPDWH &KDQJH DW WKH & VWDOO &0 &23 ZLWK U 3 DGDY 0HPEHU HFUHWDU & 3KRWR 0R()&& respect to overall management of animals in captivity, ranging from maintaining the upkeep and healthcare they have to ful l in consideration of of animals to preparing for any unseen the animals, caretakers, as well as the emergency. This was exactly the visitors. However, as witnessed, the situation faced by zoo managers across zoo community has shown courage India during the nationwide lockdown and compassion for wildlife, and done due to the COVID 19 global pandemic. exemplary teamwork responding in an unprecedented emergency with timely The situation was particularly alarming application of management plans, for zoos due to the news of a tiger (and adapting these to suit the situation. consequently, ve tigers and three lions) Additionally, this newsletter issue also testing positive for the coronavirus highlights the best innovative practises at the Bronx Zoo, New York in April. that gear us for the ‘new normal’. Fortunately Indian zoos were on high Webinars, virtual zoo programmes and alert before the lockdown was formally use of digital media platforms have announced and timely advisories helped zoos take up extensive outreach. and concerted action by state forest departments have so far averted any I hope that as we celebrate World pandemic-related tragedy. Environment Day on 5th June, we remember to cherish and appreciate the This issue of Ex-situ Updates mainly beauty of nature and its many creatures, focuses on e orts made by zoos during and pledge to protect and preserve her the COVID 19 pandemic, where sta forever. have worked with tireless commitment for the voiceless creatures in the zoos under their care. These are challenging Dr S P Yadav, IFS times and a reminder to the zoo Member Secretary community of the huge responsibilities Central Zoo Authority
LL
TRIBUTE Madhavakrishna Kamal Naidu, IFS (1939 2018)
Imagine being face to face with a six- and-a-half foot cobra and pushed to choose between your own life and the lives of the animals you love! This life threatening incident actually happened with Shri M Kamal Naidu, a distinguished Indian Forest Service o cer and former director of the National Zoological Park, RS HI D DER H KUL 1DLG UHFHLYLQJ WKH KD U D &KDNUD Delhi. IURP WKH RQ EOH 3UHVLGHQW RI ,QGLD KUL 5 9HQNDWDUDPDQ KUL 1DLG ZLWK RQH RI KLV FKDUJHV DW 1HKU RRORJLFDO 3DUN GHUDEDG Born and brought up in Andhra Pradesh (including present-day Telangana), Shri Naidu joined the Indian Forest Service in towards wildlife, he was awarded the 1962. He served in remote areas rife with Shaurya Chakra, for extraordinary insurgency and was known for showing gallantry, in 1988. He is the rst civilian exemplary courage. It was during his and IFS o cer to receive this honour. tenure as DFO that on August 10, 1972, he was ambushed, shot at, and grievously Shri Naidu’s contribution to zoo injured by Naxals, near Paloncha, a small management has been exemplary. town in present day Telangana. He He also served as Curator at Nehru survived but was con ned in the hospital Zoological Park, Hyderabad. His for three-and-a-half months before being seminal book ‘Handbook for Indian discharged. Zoo Directors’ was rst published in 2006. His other book, ‘The Tigress of Another close brush with death was Nallamalai’ is one of the few authored on with an Indian cobra at Delhi zoo, when the beautiful landscape of present day he picked the serpent by its tail to save Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Tiger Reserve. the lion cubs housed in the enclosure. Unfortunately, he got bitten and battled Shri Kamal Naidu will be remembered for three days in critical condition at the for his lifetime dedication to animals, hospital. both wild and captive, as he continues to inspire generations of zoo managers and For his bravery and steely commitment conservationists in India.
PRIORITY SPECIES for ex-situ conservation ,OO VW DWLR V 9LYHN 6D ND
0DPPDOV LUGV 5HSWLOHV PSKLELDQV
the BIG PICTURE
the BIG PICTURE Zoos in the time of Corona
WULSHG HQD DH D DH D EHLQJ IHG DW ,QGLUD DQGKL RRORJLFDO 3DUN 9LVKDNKDSDWQDP 3KRWR , 3 The key to successfully dealing with CZA issued its rst advisory reminding unprecedented situations like the zoos to follow preventive measures COVID -19 pandemic is proactive on 13th March while also reiterating preparation. We bring you lockdown the advice of the Ministry of Health stories from Indian zoos and the zoo and Family Welfare. An important step managers, vets, caretakers, educators, was to write to the Chief Secretaries of sanitation workers, animal rescuers, all states and UTs, requesting them to and countless other staff who have include zoos and zoo personnel under tirelessly worked to ensure the survival ‘essential services’. It also helped when of captive animals. the Ministry of Home A airs in its addendum dated 25th March exempted An important aspect of Indian zoos is zoo management services from the list of their primary mandate of animal welfare non-permitted activities. and ex-situ conservation, besides public awareness and outreach. Driven by this >> Proactive Preparation perspective, Indian zoos have fared better A range of measures like ensuring in ensuring a continuous supply of food good hygiene and sanitation practices, and animal care including veterinary temperature scanning of zoo sta , as well support during these troubled times. as monitoring animal behaviour, helped prevent any major mishap during the >> Timely Intervention by CZA lockdown. From across India, there are numerous excellent examples of how zoos stepped An excellent example comes from up their preparation – in many cases, well Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna, before the nationwide lockdown was Bihar where visitor entry was shut down announced. on 15th March – nine days before the
Sta being checked with a thermal scanner at Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad (Photo: NZP)
9HWHULQDUDULDQV LQVSHFWLQJ DQLPDO IHHG DW 1HKU RRORJLFDO 3DUN GHUDEDG 3KRWR 1 3
nationwide lockdown. “With the bird- u Another example comes from a zoo scare two-years-ago that resulted in the under public sector undertaking in zoo shutting operations for two months, Jamshedpur, the Tata Steel Zoological the sta have the experience of dealing Park. Bipul Chakraborty, the Curator with an abrupt halt to zoo operations, as mentions, “We anticipated this well as sanitation and hygiene protocols,” uncertainty early in January. A majority as per Amit Kumar, Director of the park. of the sanitation and hygiene measures He recalls: “When the lockdown began, we as advised were already being followed ensured that about 30 percent of our sta here since years, and we had adequate were working as part of essential services supply of PPE (Personal Protective with nearly 40 individuals staying full- Equipment). Being a small zoo, we were time in the zoo residential complex. able to manage.”
Similarly, in Nehru Zoological Park, Impressively, for Bengaluru’s expansive Hyderabad, Curator N Kshitija Bannerghatta Biological Park, mentions that she anticipated such pandemic preparedness went beyond uncertainty early on, and started just sta and animal safety; with the making preparations. “We made masks zoo engaging its student volunteers and gloves compulsory for sta even in educating visitors about social when the zoo was open to visitors, and distancing and hygiene. The Executive ordered medicines for sta and animals Director, Vanashree Vipin Singh, early on.” In the rst week of March, the appreciatively adds that all sta have zoo stocked up on two months of feed been pitching in with longer hours than and grain supply. A dedicated medical usual, picking up night shi s, and going team maintained a daily register of sta well beyond what is required to ensure temperatures. that zoo functioning is optimal.
ROGHQ -DFNDO D D H HQFORV UH DW 5DMNRW RRORJLFDO 3DUN 3KRWR 5 . LUSDUD
>> India on High Alert >> Peace in Spring In April, a tiger in Bronx Zoo, New With a sudden halt in visitors’ entries York tested positive for COVID 19, and to zoos, animals were placed in an CZA issued its second advisory to environment unlike ever before. Zoo sta zoos across India indicating the three have been keeping a watchful eye and National veterinary centres (at Bhopal, have observed that animals appear more Hissar and Bareily) where suspected relaxed with no footfalls! samples for COVID testing could be sent. Fortunately for India, over 22 animal Amala M Anil, Education O cer at the samples have been tested and found to Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru be negative till date. observes, “the zoo is rather peaceful, so we have tried to move animals in In Kanpur Zoological Park, sta di erent enclosures too. We observed took various precautionary steps the crocodiles mating, elephants can like enhancing pest control services, walk around freely.” and introducing foot trays dipped with disinfectants for all individuals She pointed out that the zoo’s primates entering the zoo premises. They also actively engage with visitors, and thus conducted regular awareness programs appear slightly bored – an observation for sta about biosecurity and zoonotic mirrored by zoo sta at the Assam State diseases. Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati.
Tejas Mariswamy, Director at the zoo The more peaceful environs have invited adds, “Our hoolock gibbons interact a lot free ranging animals – Bannerghatta is with people, so they appear a little dull overrun with colourful butter ies, and with no visitors around. But otherwise, Bhopal’s Van Vihar National Park Zoo I think our animals are quite relaxed, has welcomed Black Kites who have especially the big cats, who have become quickly taken up residence in the more active in their enclosures.” park’s trees.
The lockdown coincided with spring >> Rescue and Treatment During and breeding season, and multiple Lockdown births were reported in zoos. A Rhino Additionally, zoos have continued with calf was born in Patna’s Sanjay Gandhi animal rescue and rehabilitation during Biological Park during the lockdown and the lockdown too. In Alipore Zoological gira es were observed mating too. In Garden, Kolkata, an injured Spotted Deer the Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, was rescued from the Sundarbans area. 13 births have taken place during the A Burmese Rock Python with unusual lockdown: three royal Bengal Tigers, tissue swelling was also treated here. At two African Lions, six Jackals, and two the National Zoological Park, Delhi, an Blue-andYellow Macaws brought in Asian Elephant, Rajlakshmi was treated joy and also kept the zoo medical team for her abscess while white tigress Sita on their toes! In a rst, an Asiatic Lion was operated for her dental ailment by at the Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, the inhouse vets. Junagarh also gave birth to six cubs, which is unusual in the wild. >> Outreach in the times of Covid If there’s one thing that COVID 19 has taught zoos, it is to nd new innovative Sta sanitisation cabin at Gorewada Zoo and :LOGOLIH 5HVF H &HQWHU 3KRWR RUHZDGD :5& ways to continue with conservation outreach. With visitors at home, zoos have tried to continue with public engagement through digital and social media by live-streaming sessions of animal enclosures, uploading educational talks on social media, and encouraging participation through animal adoption schemes.
Bannerghatta Biological Park uses social media to update viewers about zoo animals, and encourages them to support the welfare of these animals. It has seen an unprecedented increased engagement in their ‘animal adoption’ scheme, collecting over ₹10 lakh from Q VLDQ (OHSKDQW ( HS D PD P QGHUJRLQJ WUHDWPHQW DW WKH 1DWLRQDO RRORJLFDO 3DUN 1HZ HOKL 3KRWR &
46 individuals in a 15-day period during says the curator of the zoo Sudha Ramen. lockdown. Similarly, in an e ort to engage visitors, Chennai’s Arignar Anna Zoological Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden Park has shared live video-streaming has also been sharing videos on their of various animal exhibits for about social media channels to keep followers two years, but saw a rapid increase in engaged. Both the Arignar Anna viewership during the lockdown period Zoological Park and Sri Chamarajendra “from 15,000 page views per day, the Zoological Gardens, Mysuru have started viewership has shot up to between virtual zoo Ambassador programmes 60,000 to 80,000 during lockdown ,” which are a big hit with children.
>> Advice from the Curators to collect exotic species, as they are best In the interest of learning from the suited to the local climatic conditions. In challenges faced by zoos during the the same vein, the curator of Assam State lockdown, we asked curators what Zoo cum Botanical Garden recommends advice they would give to zoos for self-su ciency and growing fodder and continuing to work post COVID 19. other feed in-house, instead of relying on external sources . The director, Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna, acknowledges that At Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, when zoos reopen, they will have the executive director advises preparing to be extremely cautious about zoo dormitory facilities on-site in zoo functioning; from being watchful of residential complexes, so that sta can young visitors, to the importance of stay on premises in cases of emergencies. maintaining social distancing amidst the crowds. “We need to work together, and It is heartening to note that zoos across share our experiences and learnings to India have demonstrated preparedness get through this together,” he added. and have lived up to this enormous challenge. The untiring e orts of the The Bannerghatta administration is animal keepers, vets, sanitation workers calculating revised carrying capacity and the entire zoo management truly for reopening zoos, and working on how make them the unsung heroes of ex-situ sta can be more e cient in monitoring wildlife conservation. visitors. Meanwhile, the curator, Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur, advises that zoos should try focussing on indigenous species instead of trying
ODFNE FN RSH FH FDS D DW 7DWD WHHO RRORJLFDO 3DUN 3KRWR DQMLE WWD SNAPSHOT CZA at CMS COP-13 Gandhinagar, Gujarat (February 15 22, 2020)
The Central Zoo Authority participated in the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 13) together with the associated meetings of the Standing Committee held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 15th to 22nd February, 2020. CMS is the only global biodiversity agreement aimed The popular zoo-themed sel e point at CZA’s stall in the CMS H KLELWLRQ SDYLOLRQ 3KRWR 0RH)&& at international cooperation for the conservation of migratory species of wild animals and their habitats. organisations. There was also a sel e point themed on zoos at the stall that The theme of CMS COP 13 was proved to be quite popular! ‘Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home’. The Central Zoo Authority also The mascot for CMS COP 13 was ‘Gibi organised a side event on Species – The Great Indian Bustard’, which is a Conservation at the India Pavilion. It critically endangered species on the was chaired by Dr S P Yadav, Member IUCN Red List and has been accorded Secretary, Central Zoo Authority and the highest protection status (listed co-chaired by Shri Soumitra Dasgupta, in Schedule I) under the Wild Life Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife), Protection Act, 1972. MoEF&CC. The panel highlighted the following success stories of ex-situ CZA showcased its successful breeding programmes: conservation breeding initiatives ongoing in Indian zoos at the CMS • Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo ssp. persica) exhibition pavilion . The stall, which - Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, Gujarat looked vibrant and attractive with wild animal models was appreciated by • Indian Chevrotain (Moschiola indica) - several visitors, including the Hon’ble Nehru Zoological Park, Telangana Ministers for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GOI, Chief Ministers of • Greater One-horned Rhino various states, senior forest authorities (Rhinoceros unicornis) - Sanjay and heads of National and International Gandhi Biological Park, Bihar.
CZA launched its rst o cial social media account on Twitter (@CZA_Delhi)
CONSERVATION NEWS Digital Outreach, COVID 19 Management and more
>> Advisories for COVID 19 active pursuance of CZA, on 25th March, Safety Practices 2020, the Ministry of Home A airs, Govt CZA issued timely advisories to states of India included zoo personnel, animal and zoos which included providing fodder and transport as part of essential factual information about COVID 19, services permitted during lockdown. preventive steps to be followed as per national guidelines, and advice on >> Integrated Species Recovery upkeep and maintenance of captive Plan animals. Speci c advisories were also The CZA is spearheading the formulation issued in response to news of COVID 19 of a ve-year plan for recovery of infection in a tiger at Bronx Zoo, threatened species. The aim is to New York. ‘converge’ and employ a multi-faceted approach including aspects of habitat, During the lockdown period, a major conservation breeding (in case of breakthrough was achieved when with endangered and critically endangered
species) and species restoration options speech delivered by Dr S P Yadav, through science-based monitoring. Member Secretary, CZA, followed by expert lectures from Dr Christian Walzer >> CZA Launches O cial (Executive Director Health, Wildlife Twitter Handle Conservation Society, Bronx, New On 30th April, 2020, CZA launched its York and Co-Founder of Conservation rst o cial social media account on Support Network) and Dr Patrick R Twitter (@CZA_Delhi), which received Thomas (Curator of Mammals, Bronx an overwhelming welcome. The Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society). account regularly shares updates from The webinar was attended by 200+ zoos across India through videos and participants including IFS o cers, zoo photographs, and encourages zoos to directors, veterinarians, animal lovers continue reaching out to visitors while and wildlife enthusiasts. staying connected with them during the lockdown period. The webinar can be viewed at: www. youtube.com/watch?v=-J 9KnJF5Yc >> Webinar on COVID 19 Detection and Management in Big Cats A webinar on “COVID 19 Detection and H R Q RQOLQH SRVWHU DQQR QFLQJ WKH ZHELQDU RQ Management in Big Cats” was organised &29, HWHFWLRQ DQG 0DQDJHPHQW LQ LJ &DWV EH R RS U &KULVLWDQ :DO HU DQG EH R ER RP on 2nd May, 2020, in collaboration with U 3DWULFN 5 7KRPDV SDUWLFLSDWLQJ LQ WKH ZHELQDU HCL Foundation, The Habitats Trust, and Wildlife Conservation Society. The webinar commenced with a keynote
SPECIAL FEATURE 1DGLD WKH HDU ROG IHPDOH 0DOD DQ 7LJHU D H D S MDF R WKDW WHVWHG &29, SRVLWLYH DW WKH URQ RR 3KRWR - OLH /DUVHQ 0DKHU :&
SPECIAL FEATURE In the Eye of the Storm COVID 19 in Felids at Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo 7H W 3DW LFN 7KRPDV 9LFH 3 HVLGH W H H DO & DWR :LOGOLIH &R VH YDWLR 6RFLHW D G VVRFLDWH L HFWR R RR
Five tigers and three lions at the Wildlife altaica) and three African Lions (Panthera Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo tested leo). All are adults between 4 - 14 years positive for COVID 19 in March and old. Seven cats that tested positive for April 2020. This included two Malayan COVID 19 exhibited some clinical signs; Tigers (Panthera tigris ssp. jacksoni) and one Amur Tiger was asymptomatic. three Amur Tigers, (Panthera tigris ssp. The primary clinical indicators of illness
were coughing (all seven animals) and sta dry-clean all o -exhibit indoor wheezing (three tigers and one lion). enclosures of felids. We now have a One Malayan Tiger also exhibited a protocol in place whereby those areas decreased appetite for a few days. All are cleaned by rst picking up and were treated with a broad spectrum removing all organic debris, spraying the antibiotic (Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid). enclosures with RescueTM, a disinfectant known to kill COVID 19, and allowing >> Diagnoses that product to sit for ve minutes, as per The Malayan Tiger that exhibited signs product guidelines. The enclosures are of illness for the longest period of time then hosed with a weak stream of water. was started on a course of Amoxicillin/ All our cats can still go into outdoor yards clavulanic acid on 28th March. When or exhibits, and our sta immediately her symptoms did not subside she was reports any unusual observations in the chemically immobilised on 2nd April for animals. a complete medical evaluation (physical examination, radiographs, ultrasound We have also increased PPE and and routine blood testing) and to collect enhanced enclosure cleaning for diagnostic samples, including nasal and mustelids, viverrids and bats and a long- oropharyngeal swabs and tracheal wash standing (20+ years) protocol with PPE samples, to test for COVID 19. is already in place for our primates. We have not seen any signs of illness in any The samples for qPCR testing showed of these groups of animals. presumptive positive results which were con rmed with another test. >> Conclusion All eight big cats that tested positive >> Our Response for COVID 19 appear to be doing very To protect our animals and sta , we well. We will continue with our current instituted a higher degree of Personal management protocol with all our Protective Equipment (PPE) for keepers felids and the other species we believe who work with felid species across all to be susceptible to COVID 19 for the four WCS zoos. Sta working with cats foreseeable future. now must wear coveralls, a surgical mask, some form of eye protection (e.g., face shields or goggles) and latex gloves, 3KRWR URQ RR :& including when preparing animal diets. Additionally, we have encouraged social distancing by limiting close contact with cats and limiting access to felid-holding areas. We have also reinforced the use of footbaths whenever sta enter or leave any cat enclosure.
A er receiving the test results, we had
3KRWR :
TALKING HEADS Dr Martín Zordan CEO, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Dr Martín Zordan is a veterinarian with To your understanding, how have a diverse professional background in zoos and aquariums globally fared in science and conservation, culminating dealing with COVID-19 pandemic? in his work as Executive Director of the Zoos and aquariums are prioritising the Latin American Association of Zoos and care of animals as well as the safety of Aquariums, followed by his role as the visitors and sta . Financially, it has been Director of Conservation at the World challenging as the main income for most Association of Zoos and Aquariums of the zoos and aquariums around the (WAZA). He took over as full-time CEO of world comes from the entrance fees. At WAZA in April 2020. CZA congratulates some point, 95 percent of our members him on his new role. Published here is an were closed. Now some WAZA members exclusive interview with Ex-situ Updates. zoos have opened in Germany, Austria,
the USA, Sweden, Czechia and France to within zoo premises, just as all the others. name a few. For the future, we also need to collectively move towards achieving What were some immediate challenges the ‘2023 Animal Welfare goal’ which faced by zoos worldwide when you states that by 2023, WAZA National and became CEO? What is WAZA’s strategy Regional Associations must have an to overcome these challenges? animal welfare evaluation process in Financial support, need for guidance for place. We are excited to see how Central re-opening and access to experiences Zoo Authority, as a WAZA Association of the global Zoo and Aquarium member, can help us with this goal. community in other parts of the Additionally, internationally, there is world were the main needs that were increasing interest in gathering data perceived. from India for the WAZA International
Studbooks. As a global organisation, our We would love role has been , P H FLWHG to hear your to be a platform advice for zoos for national DER W I W H and zookeepers and regional FROODER DWLYH across India, who associations are dealing with of zoos and unprecedented aquariums RSSR W LWLHV challenges during to share their COVID-19. needs and ZLWK , GLD We are incredibly experiences. In and humbly addition, we are thankful for the running a series of online webinars to work you are doing for the animals. We discuss relevant topics to the zoos and know this is a hard time for you and we aquariums during COVID 19. hope your families and friends are doing okay. At this time, we encourage you to How do you think Indian zoos have seek support from your government and fared in dealing with COVID-19 communities. pandemic? And how do we build more successful partnerships for the future? Continue to nd ways to keep your One way we learn about what our nine audiences engaged with what is members in India are doing is through happening at your zoos and nd ways to social media and online news. We also share optimistic and inspirational have seen that Bannerghatta Zoo and messages. We are seeing our world Vandalur Zoo have been very active on changing, and as hard as that is, it also social media. We also know that during brings new opportunities. For me that this crisis, our members in India are opportunity is to heal how we interact committed to a high degree of hygiene with nature.
:HVWHUQ 7UDJRSDQ D RSD PH D RFHS D DW WKH DUDKDQ 3KHDVDQWU
SPECIES in focus
, WKH PR WDL Western Tragopan
IR HVWV RI WKH :HVWH 7H W 3KRWRJ DSKV /DNVKPL D DVLPKD +LPDOD DV OLYHV WKLV R, Scienti c O cer, & J HDW EL G LWV EODFN D G F LPVR SO PDJH >> The King of Birds The Western Tragopan is a vulnerable FRYH HG ZLWK D VKRZH pheasant endemic to the western RI VLOYH VWD V Himalayas. It is predominantly a ground- dwelling bird distributed in fragmented populations across northern Pakistan, :LOOLDP HHEH Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Locally, the Tragopan is known by owers, buds, and occasionally, insects. various names: jujurana (king of birds) Tragopans are polygamous and breed in Himachal Pradesh, jewaar in Garhwal during April-July. They nest in elevated (a former distributional range of the broken tree trunks or abandoned corvid species in Uttarakhand) and seeng-monal nests, laying around three to ve eggs. (horned Monal) across most of its range. The female incubates for around 28 days and exclusively provides parental care. The name ‘Tragopan’ originates from a union of the two words: Tragus (goat) >> Conservation Status and Pan (the Greek half-goat deity of the There are fewer than 2,500 3,000 high hills, who watches over shepherds individuals le in the wild. The major and their ocks). The males are brightly threats to their survival in the wild are coloured with an orangish-red face and habitat loss, poaching and collection of throat, crimson neck, black head and minor forest produce such as medicinal body with white-spots on black; while plants and mushrooms. The species the females have duller hues — mostly is listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life brownish with whitish-gray spots. During (Protection) Act of India and categorised courtship, males exhibit unique facial as ‘Vulnerable’ by IUCN to prioritise its features like lappets and horns, which protection in the country and across its is why the species was earlier called the distributional range. Western Horned Pheasant. >> Reigning in Himachal Pradesh The Western Tragopan breeds in a Himachal Pradesh is a stronghold narrow altitudinal range between of wild populations of the Western 2600m to 3600m in the upper temperate Tragopan, which is its state bird. Given region. Its diet predominantly consists its importance as a agship species of seasonally available leaves, ferns, for wildlife conservation the Wildlife
7KH 3KHDVDQWU DW DUDKDQ LPDFKDO 3UDGHVK G ULQJ WKH ZLQWHU PRQWKV
7KH WHDP DW WKH DUDKDQ 3KHDVDQWU LHW SURYLGHG IRU :HVWHUQ 7UDJRSDQV DW WKH SKHDVDQWU
Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest other wild plant species are planted Department has pioneered the within the enclosures. Interconnected conservation breeding of Western perches are placed at various heights Tragopan at an exclusive breeding within the aviaries to mimic a forest facility in Sarahan. canopy.
The Sarahan Pheasantry holds the rst Tragopans here are fed a mix of fruit and record of captive breeding of Western vegetable, locally-grown greens, seeds, Tragopan in 1993. In 2007, the Central sprouts, boiled eggs and eggshell grit. Zoo Authority identi ed the Western The food is o ered early in the morning Tragopan as a priority species for and a proportion of the food is scattered conservation breeding and Sarahan inside the aviaries to encourage Pheasantry as a coordinating zoo. The foraging behaviour in the birds. As the goal is to establish an ex situ population enclosures consist of natural ground for species restoration purposes. substrate and edible plants from the species’ habitat, the birds also forage for >> The Sarahan Pheasantry insects and fresh vegetation. Freshly The pheasantry has the distinction of grown sprouts are also o ered to being the only centre in the world where chicks and young birds. Food items Western Tragopan is being bred. At collected from the natural habitat, like Sarahan, the birds are kept in enclosures berries, owers and leaves are provided in undisturbed conditions that closely occasionally. simulate their natural environment. Each breeding pair has access to 80m² During the breeding season, each of ground space and 3 4m of vertical female is provided access to 3 5 elevated space. Bamboo, grass tussocks and nesting platforms (handmade bamboo
:HVWHUQ 7UDJRSDQ FKLFN EUHG DW WKH DUDKDQ 3KHDVDQWU
baskets) at varying heights, with dried have adequate husbandry experience moss and ferns as nesting material. The in keeping and breeding Western nests are concealed using lianas and Tragopans. Since a steady population tree branches. Perches are positioned growth has been achieved at the centre, at the nest to allow the female to skulk an experimental reintroduction of the and facilitate tragopan chicks in walking species is being planned. to the nest for roosting. Breeding birds are remotely monitored using video The aim of this reintroduction project cameras for hatching and chick rearing. is to re-establish populations of the Juvenile birds are housed with the Western Tragopan in areas where mother until the following breeding they occurred naturally in the past, season. All birds are tted with uniquely but are currently extinct because of numbered aluminum leg-rings. anthropogenic activities.
>> Back to the Wild The reintroduction plan aligns with From ve individuals in 2004, the stock the IUCN guidelines for reintroduction has grown to 43 individuals (21 males and other conservation translocations and 22 females) at Sarahan. This is (IUCN/SSC, 2013), guidelines for the the highest population size achieved reintroduction of Galliformes family for since the inception of the conservation conservation purposes (World Pheasant breeding programme. Over the years, Association, 2009) and key aspects of the sta at Sarahan Pheasantry now Western Tragopan ecology.
EXHIBIT SHOWCASE Land of the Lions in the Heart of London 7H W 3KRWRJ DSKV RRORJLFDO 6RFLHW RI /R GR 6/ /R GR RR
2QH RI ZRUOG V ROGHVW RRV / /RQGRQ RR DQG VKLSSHG IURP ,QGLD DUH GRWWHG DUR QG RSHQHG LQ /RQGRQ LQ LQFH WKHQ WKH WKH /DQG RI WKH /LRQV ERWK LQVLGH DQG R W RR KDV HYROYHG WR FRQWULE WH SLRQHHULQJ RI WKH OLRQV GRPDLQ GHSLFWLQJ WKH QLT HO research towards the scienti c study and FORVH UHODWLRQVKLS LQWHUOLQNLQJ SHRSOH DQG FRQVHUYDWLRQ RI DQLPDOV VLDWLF OLRQV LQ MDUDW 7KLV ZDV UHVHDUFKHG E / V WDOHQWHG LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ WHDP ZLWK 2QH RI LWV PRVW EUHDWKWDNLQJ H KLELWV LQS WV IURP WKH MDUDW )RUHVW HSDUWPHQW /D G RI WKH /LR V WUDQVSRUWV YLVLWRUV IURP :LOGOLIH ,QVWLW WH RI ,QGLD DQG WKH ORFDO /RQGRQ WR ,QGLD V YLEUDQW DVDQ LU UHJLRQ LQ MDUDWL FRPP QLW MDUDW ZKHUH WKH FDQ JHW FORVHU WKDQ HYHU WR WKH RR V UHVLGHQW VLDWLF /LRQV D H D 7KUHH ZDONZD V FRYHU WKH Ps H KLELW HR S SH FD ZLWK WKULOOLQJ LPPHUVLYH ,QGLDQ WKHPHG DUHDV IRU FKLOGUHQ DQG DG OWV WR H SORUH WR ULFNVKDZV ELF FOHV VDFNV RI OHQWLOV DQG OHDUQ DER W MDUDW LWV F OW UH DQG WKH DQG VSLFHV D UHSOLFD RI WKH DVDQ LU V WUDLQ PDMHVWLF OLRQV WKDW DUH WKH SULGH RI WKH VWDWH station waiting room and ticket o ce, a UHDOLVWLF DQG FROR UI O GHSLFWLRQ RI D E VWOLQJ EHD WLI O PRVDLF FUHDWHG E D ORFDO DUWLVWV PDUNHW LQ - QDJDGK VKULQHV DPLGVW WKH FROOHFWLYH UHLWHUDWHV WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI LUQDU KLOOV UDQJHUV GZHOOLQJV DQG HYHQ ODQGVFDSLQJ DQG GHVLJQ DHVWKHWLFV ZKLOH D OLIH VL H WU FN DOO PHWLF OR VO VR UFHG GHSLFWLQJ DQLPDOV LQ D RR
ZOO in focus Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad 7H W 1 .VKLWLMD ,)6 & DWR 1 3 + GH DEDG 3KRWRJ DSKV 1 3 + GH DEDG ER H HQJDO 7LJHU D H D F EV ERUQ UHFHQWO DW 1 3 GHUDEDG )DF SD H F RF H I RP RS HI : An experimental sh pond at the zoo; Golden )DQF VSHQGLQJ R U GD VHHLQJ OLRQV WLJHUV MDFNDO D D H S SV ERUQ G ULQJ WKH ORFNGRZQ Q LQ KR VH IRGGHU SORW FUHDWHG DV SDUW RI WKH JUHHQ RR EHDUV DQG ELVRQV DOO LQ D VLQJOH GD 0D EH LQLWLDWLYH HQJDO 7LJHU ZLWK KHU F EV 3DSD D IDUPLQJ add a little detour through a butter y DOVR D SDUW RI WKH JUHHQ RR LQLWLDWLYH &RPPRQ 2VWULFK JDUGHQ WR JHW WKDW HODWHG IHHOLQJ ZKHQ R FDPH FKLFNV KDWFKHG DW WKH RR these winged beauties utter by? All this, DQG P FK PRUH DZDLWV R DW WKH H SDQVLYH 7HODQJDQD FURFRGLOH EUHHGLQJ FHQWUH ZDV FRPSOH RI WKH 1HKU RRORJLFDO 3DUN 1 3 DOVR HVWDEOLVKHG LQ WKH V IRU 0 JJHU LQ GHUDEDG RFR SD SRS ODWLRQV DQG ELJ FDWV OLNH WKH HQJDO 7LJHU D H D (VWDEOLVKHG LQ WKLV DFUH SDUN S DQG VLDWLF /LRQ D H D HR IRF VHV RQ FRQVHUYLQJ ZLOGOLIH RI WKH HFFDQ S SH FD KDYH EHHQ EUHG KHUH DQG VHQW 3HQLQV OD DQG KR VHV DQ LPSUHVVLYH WR RRV DFURVV ,QGLD DV SDUW RI H FKDQJH FROOHFWLRQ RI VSHFLHV RI DQLPDOV DQG SURJUDPPHV VSHFLPHQV SLRQHHULQJ LQVWLW WLRQ LW ZDV the rst in the country to establish a &R VH YDWLR 2 W HDFK VDIDUL SDUN LQ QRFW UQDO DQLPDO KR VH 7KH RR LV D PDMRU WR ULVW DWWUDFWLRQ LQ WKH (in 1982) and butter y park (in 1998). Today, FLW ,Q 1 3 UHFRUGHG D PDVVLYH WKHVH DUH DOO SRS ODU YLVLWRU DWWUDFWLRQV IRRWIDOO RI ODNK YLVLWRUV DQG PRUH WKDQ DORQJ ZLWK D UHSWLOH KR VH DQG D 3UHKLVWRULF 5V FURUHV DV UHYHQ H 7KH RR SURYLGHV Park’ displaying ber-glass dinosaur models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