Hyderabad: With Nehru Zoological Park‘s vultures aging and unable to reproduce, the zoo has launched a vulture breeding programme to conserve these endangered birds.
The initiative currently involves nine vultures sourced from Sakkarbaug Zoo in Gujarat and follows a two-phase approach — conservation breeding and reintroduction. “In the first phase, we aim to increase the vulture population under controlled conditions. The second phase will assess their survival in the wild before releasing them into their natural habitat,” said Babu Rao, a biologist from the zoo.
To enhance the programme, the zoo will soon receive 10 white-rumped vultures, 10 long-billed vultures, and four slender-billed vultures from Pinjore Vulture Breeding Centre in Haryana.
This effort aligns with the zoo’s broader mission to preserve rare and threatened species. Current specialised breeding initiatives include the Indian mouse deer (Moschiola indica), with future plans for large carnivores and ungulates. Over the years, the zoo has successfully bred Royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic and African lions, wild dogs, hyenas, Indian wolves, Indian rhinoceroses, gaur, blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, barking deer, and the four-horned antelope (chousingha).
“Additionally, we’ve bred marsh crocodiles, Sarus cranes, grey pelicans, painted storks, rheas, and ostriches. However, our most successful project remains the Indian mouse deer breeding programme, which led to the release of 264 individuals across seven locations under a Central Zoo Authority-funded initiative,” said Sunil Hiremath, director of the zoo.
Looking ahead, the zoo is exploring breeding more endangered species, particularly those native to the Deccan Plateau. “We are evaluating species like the rusty-spotted cat — one of the world’s smallest wild cats — along with species that play key ecological roles such as cranes, floricans, golden jackals, Indian wolves, and fishing cats,” Hiremath added.
The initiative currently involves nine vultures sourced from Sakkarbaug Zoo in Gujarat and follows a two-phase approach — conservation breeding and reintroduction. “In the first phase, we aim to increase the vulture population under controlled conditions. The second phase will assess their survival in the wild before releasing them into their natural habitat,” said Babu Rao, a biologist from the zoo.
To enhance the programme, the zoo will soon receive 10 white-rumped vultures, 10 long-billed vultures, and four slender-billed vultures from Pinjore Vulture Breeding Centre in Haryana.
This effort aligns with the zoo’s broader mission to preserve rare and threatened species. Current specialised breeding initiatives include the Indian mouse deer (Moschiola indica), with future plans for large carnivores and ungulates. Over the years, the zoo has successfully bred Royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic and African lions, wild dogs, hyenas, Indian wolves, Indian rhinoceroses, gaur, blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, barking deer, and the four-horned antelope (chousingha).
“Additionally, we’ve bred marsh crocodiles, Sarus cranes, grey pelicans, painted storks, rheas, and ostriches. However, our most successful project remains the Indian mouse deer breeding programme, which led to the release of 264 individuals across seven locations under a Central Zoo Authority-funded initiative,” said Sunil Hiremath, director of the zoo.
Looking ahead, the zoo is exploring breeding more endangered species, particularly those native to the Deccan Plateau. “We are evaluating species like the rusty-spotted cat — one of the world’s smallest wild cats — along with species that play key ecological roles such as cranes, floricans, golden jackals, Indian wolves, and fishing cats,” Hiremath added.
