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After Shiva, Delhi zoo opens gates for rhino from Kanpur

A nine-year-old male rhinoceros has been picked to give an impetus to the breeding programme

Shiva, who was brought from Mumbai for breeding, died of infection on his snout. (Archive)

To give a further impetus to its breeding programme, the city’s National Zoological Park is all set to receive a new male rhinoceros from Kanpur Zoo in exchange for a female rhino from the capital. The zoo’s rhinoceros breeding programme came to an halt last month after the death of its sole male rhinoceros, Shiva.

A three-member group headed by the zoo’s veterinary officer zeroed in on a nine-year-old male rhinoceros after two days of deliberations at the Kanpur zoo. “Talks to get the male rhinoceros had begun earlier this year with the Kanpur Zoo. Our priority was to get a rhinoceros that is healthy enough for the zoo’s breeding programme… Keeping in mind the animal’s health, we have selected a nine-year-old male rhinoceros,” zoo veterinary officer Dr Paneer Selvam said.

The veterinary officer said the male rhinoceros will not be exchanged immediately. “The visit was to finalise the exchange with the Kanpur Zoo. The male rhinoceros will arrive only in the second week of August,” he said.

In exchange for the male rhinoceros, Delhi zoo will be sending a 15-year-old female rhinoceros, Mageshwari, to Kanpur, the official said, adding that the male rhino will be made to breed with the eight-year-old young female rhinoceros, Anjuka.

Last month, Shiva — who was brought from Mumbai’s Byculla zoo — died of a secondary infection of organs caused by a tumour on his snout. Old age had also made Shiva incompetent to mate. Despite zoo officials trying their best, Shiva showed no interest and never approached the female rhinoceros.

Zoo officials will also be undertaking exchange programmes for other animals, the official said.

Officials also said for the first time, the zoo has successfully implemented its breeding programme on a fox and a jackal. They are also waiting for an ostrich to hatch its egg.

First uploaded on: 21-07-2014 at 02:08 IST

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