Patna zoo on global rhino breeding map

Patna zoo has become the first in the country to be linked with 700 zoos across 73 countries under the Geological Information Management System, reports Reena Sopam.

Patna zoo has become the first in the country to be linked with 700 zoos across 73 countries under the Geological Information Management System.

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Considering its best performance in rhino breeding, the International Species Information System has offered membership to share information about the techniques and success stories about rhino breeding.

While there has been global concern over the decreasing number of rhinos, already a Schedule One animal, the Patna zoo continues to create landmarks in rhino breeding.

With successful breeding of eight rhinos, it has been placed at the top in the country and second in the world after the Santiago Zoo. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has selected it as a breeding centre for rhinos under an ambitious project for conservation of endangered species to be launched in India.

“Other zoos in the country are now preparing to join this hi-tech information sharing system. The Patna zoo came into international focus because of its breeding of rhinos, which has been listed among the most endangered species in the world. Many other countries now want to know about the techniques used at the Patna zoo, the kind of food given to the species and the size of cages,” said Rakesh Kumar, director of the Patna zoo.

Information sharing will benefit the conservation programme to be launched by the CZA. Information about animal health problems and facilities for their better upkeep may be shared among zoos across the globe, Kumar said.