Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], March 23 (HBTV): For the first time in Rajasthan, ostriches have successfully bred in captivity at the zoo located in Ramniwas Bagh. Female ostrich Avantika laid 11 eggs, one of which hatched, giving birth to a healthy chick.

The baby ostrich has become a major attraction for tourists, drawing a large number of visitors to the zoo. Special care is being provided for the chick.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Prachi Chaudhary highlighted the significance of the event, stating: ‘Ostrich is a native of Africa, and its habitat also differs. Now, after acclimatising the climatic conditions in the habitat of Jaipur and providing proper breeding facilities, after incubation techniques, 11 eggs were laid on the day of Holi, and the hatching of one egg was successful.’

She also reflected on previous efforts, saying: ‘Last time, it also laid eggs in March-June 2022, but their hatching was not successful. So this is a symbol of very positive success, and it is being considered an achievement.’

Discussing future plans for the zoo, Chaudhary stated: ‘It is also proposed that an aviary be built on a broad level in the zoo in the future.’ She added that this would support long-term conservation goals and improve breeding conditions for ostriches.

She further mentioned that CCTV cameras are being used to monitor the ostrich and the chick. Captive breeding of ostriches is rare and requires special conditions and care.

The successful hatching of the ostrich egg is part of the zoo's broader ex-situ conservation efforts. ‘The purpose of ex-situ conservation of captive breeding is that we can conserve them, which is definitely a positive initiative in the direction of biodiversity conservation,’ Chaudhary added.

(ANI)