Delhi zoo welcomes new inmates with birth of jackal cubs
It is after several years that the National Zoological Park has seen birth six jackal cubs, a species found hard to breed in captivity.
It is after several years that the National Zoological Park has seen birth six jackal cubs, a species found hard to breed in captivity.
With the birth of these six the number of jackals in the park,popularly known as Delhi zoo, has increased to 11. Earlier, the zoo had three male and two female jackals. But it is too early to know the sex of the newborns.
“Delhi zoo is one of the eight zoos across the country that has witnessed breeding of jackals in recent times,” said Riaz Khan, zoo’s curator (education).
The jackal cubs were born on March 24 to a pair brought from a zoo at Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh last year in April gave birth to the cubs on March 24.
Zoo regulatory body, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) recognises a total of 198 zoos – small, medium and big – in India. “Of the so many zoos, only 53 zoos display jackals,” Khan added.
Observed Dr Brij Kishore Gupta, CZA’s evaluation and monitoring officer, “Usually, jackals are prolific breeders and they are common in the wild. But in captive conditions breeding records have been very poor.”
The CZA overseas and enforces minimum standards for upkeep and healthcare of animals in Indian zoos through recognition of zoo rules and provides them technical and other assistance for improvement.