Delhi Zoo Seeks Mates for 16 Species to Boost Breeding

The National Zoological Park in Delhi is actively seeking to pair up single animals and same-sex groups across 16 different species. The initiative aims to boost breeding programs, improve animal welfare, and enhance genetic diversity within the zoo's population.

Zoo director Sanjeet Kumar stated that discussions for animal exchanges are in progress with facilities like the Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park in Punjab and Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Ranchi. The immediate priority is to find mates for animals that are currently alone or in groups of the same sex, while also introducing new bloodlines.

Among the species needing new partners are ostriches, rheas, Egyptian vultures, Indian grey hornbills, grey langurs, small Indian civets, rhinoceroses, black bears, barn owls, francolins, black swans, bar-headed geese, spoonbills, and porcupines. Some of these animals have been without companions for extended periods, with officials highlighting a nine-year-old female rhea and a male Egyptian vulture over 20 years old as examples.

Past attempts to secure mates have faced challenges. For instance, two male ostriches acquired in 2021 have remained unpaired. The zoo's black bear population consists solely of females after a male died years ago, and a male rhinoceros introduced in 2024 to breed with the resident female also died last year. Officials are adopting a more proactive approach to expedite these pairings.

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The exchanges are at different stages of discussion. Based on our requirements, we can then give away surplus species. Our prime focus is to pair the single sex animals, while also infusing a fresh bloodline.