(IN): State Zoo to carry out captive breeding

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=sep0207/at08

 

State Zoo to carry out captive breeding

 

By A Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 1 – In a significant development for the conservation of

select species it has been decided that scientific captive breeding would be

carried out in Assam State Zoo, Guwahati. Even though there have been

instances of some wildlife breeding well in the zoo, it would be for the

first time that scientific captive breeding would take place under strict

supervision. Among the species identified for the project are one-horned

rhino, golden langur, serow, and grey Bhutan pheasant.

 

The Central Zoo Authority has already given the green signal for the

endeavour to be spread over several years, and would also provide necessary

funds and knowledge inputs.

 

The captive breeding programme has carefully selected the species because

all of them face grave threats in the wild. Besides, their numbers are

closeted in few wildlife areas, which make them vulnerable to habitat

destruction or an outbreak of disease.

 

Speaking to *The Assam Tribune*, Narayan Mahanta the Zoo DFO said, " It is

indeed a matter of pride for the zoo, because the Central Zoo Authority has

recognised its potential to carry out the ambitious programme. "

 

He revealed that the captive breeding programme would have to be carried out

in a " methodical and systematic " way. In any captive breeding programme

there are a great many variables, which would all have to be dealt with so

that the offspring are healthy.

 

The new project would necessitate the building of new enclosures and using

experts who can carry out the programme. Mahanta was confident that the Zoo

would have the infrastructure and personnel prepared by next year.

 

It is believed that the captive breeding project would put the State Zoo

firmly on the national conservation map. The spin offs to students and

researchers of zoology would also be immense, because the emerging

opportunities would be rare in this part of the country.

 

Plans are also afoot to procure new species for the zoo. By late this month

or early October, six new animals would be acquired from the

Jamshedpur-based Tata Zoo. Along with two black bucks, a pair of emu and a

pair of golden pheasants would be brought by special transport. The Guwahati

Zoo would part with six animals as part of the exchange.

 

At present the State Zoo possesses wildlife that number around 700

representing 91 species. Some of them are endemic to North East India and a

few listed as critically endangered.

 

--

Fight captive Jumbo abuse, end Elephant Polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com