Conservation Breeding in Indira Gandhi Zoological Park

Recently, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation in India, particularly in the successful breeding and nurturing of Striped hyenas and Asiatic wild dogs (Dhole).

Conservation Breeding of Striped Hyenas:

1. Striped hyenas, listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are being successfully bred in captivity at IGZP.
2. The zoo has established a protocol of hand-rearing of hyena cubs, which has led to the successful rearing of four instances of hyena cubs.
3. The zoo now has a good population of striped hyenas with a total of nine adults and sub-adults.

Conservation Breeding of Asiatic Wild Dogs:

1. IGZP is recognised by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for conservation breeding of Asiatic wild dog or dhole.
2. The zoo has received a sanction of ₹67 lakh from the CZA to create an off-display enclosure for the conservation breeding project.
3. The project aims to establish a founder population of dholes, which will be reintroduced in the wild.
4. The zoo has seen a massive increase in the population of wild dogs from just two to 49, the highest number of wild dogs in captivity in the country.

Other Conservation Breeding Successes:

1. IGZP has also seen successful conservation breeding of species such as the Indian grey wolf, ring-tailed lemur, Indian bison, blue and gold macaw, jungle cat, and eclectus parrot.

About Indira Gandhi Zoological Park:

1. IGZP is an ex-situ facility established in 1977, located amidst Seethakonda Reserve Forest in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
2. It is a large category zoo recognised by the Central Zoo Authority.
3. The zoo is surrounded by Eastern Ghats on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth side.
4. It is also home to many free-ranging animals and birds due to its close proximity to Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Asiatic Wild Dogs (Dhole)

1. Scientific name: Cuon alpinus
2. Wild carnivores belonging to the Canidae family and Mammalia class.
3. Historically widespread, now mainly found in south and southeast Asia.
4. Endangered on the IUCN Red List, Schedule II under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and Appendix II under CITES.

About Striped Hyenas

1. Scientific name: Hyaena hyaena
2. Smaller and less social than the Spotted hyena.
3. Face threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and illegal trade.
4. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and Schedule I under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Importance of Conservation Breeding:

1. Conservation breeding programmes are critical for the survival of several animal species in the wild.
2. These programmes help to increase the population of endangered species, reduce the risk of extinction, and reintroduce species into the wild.
3. Conservation breeding programmes also help to educate visitors about the importance of conservation and promote awareness about the plight of endangered species.

 

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