Advance Christmas gifts for Hanamkonda zoo

Three ostrich chicks hatched in natural process

Warangal: Vana Vignana Kendra, the small zoo situated at Hunter Road in Hanamkonda, has received an advanced Christmas gift.

Weighing about 850 grams each, three ostrich chicks were hatched in a natural process, one on December 20 and two chicks on December 21, without resorting to use of any artificial incubation techniques.

This has left the zoo authorities in a state of jubilation as it could augur well for the Vana Vignana Kendram in Warangal to emerge as a natural breeding centre for ostrich (Struthio Camelus) birds.

“This is for the second time the birds were hatched at Warangal zoo in complete natural incubation by parent birds,” Divisional Forest officer (DFO) (Wildlife), Ch Ganga Reddy, told The Hans India on Tuesday. He said that the new chicks were healthy.

“Nowhere in India had ostrich birds hatched in natural process at zoos. Warangal zoo is the only zoo that achieved the distinction,” he pointed out. At present, the zoo located in Chennai of Tamil Nadu has the expertise in hatching ostrich eggs through artificial incubation.

The distinctive ostrich is the heaviest of all living birds and it sits on a clutch of eggs to incubate them like other birds.

The chicks were shifted to breeding pen since the temperatures have fallen owing to winter season. The chicks are kept at 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33.3 degrees Celsius) and being protected. Within 10 days time, the temperature would be brought to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 Celsius) in their enclosure, informed veterinary doctor at the zoo Ch Praveen Kumar.

He said the chicks were being fed crumbles. In all, the ostrich has laid 13 eggs and one was damaged and the remaining were being hatched by parent bird. “We hope all other eggs would be hatched safely by the time of the New Year,” he added.

For each egg it takes about 42 days for hatching, Praveen Kumar explained.

It may be noted that the Warangal zoo officials have bought a pair of ostriches born in 2008 from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University by investing an amount of Rs 3 lakh under Plough Back Zoo Revenue (PBZR) scheme in January 2013.

Last time, the ostrich has laid 13 eggs and of which five birds were hatched during Ugaadi festival.

DFO Ganga Reddy explaining the successful hatching of ostrich eggs said, “Warangal weather is suitable for the bird breeding in natural conditions. Warangal zoo could emerge as a successful breeding centre for ostrich in the state and we are making plans in that direction.”

By: James Edwin