The National Zoological Park (NZP), popularly known as the Delhi zoo, has got two new inhabitants — a pair of ostriches, brought from the Thiruvananthapuram zoo on March 22.
These flightless birds were last seen at the zoo in the 1990s and this latest addition provides an opportunity for Delhiites to see the birds up-close. Housed in one of the large open animal enclosures, the birds — both about three years old — are being fed mixed seeds, bananas and will soon be given vegetables and garlic (which is known to have medicinal value).
Zoo curator R.A. Khan said: “The birds brought from Kerala are already proving to be a huge hit among visitors. These birds were not seen at the zoo for a long time. ”
“The pair, we hope, will breed. As of now, we are feeding them the diet provided in Kerala, but there is a move to slowly introduce vegetables and garlic. The birds seem to have adjusted well to the new environment,” said Mr. Khan.
Ms. Ciby Jacob, who had come to the zoo with her two children, said: “These birds are exotic and we have only seen them in books and television shows. The children are going to be the biggest beneficiaries of this latest addition.”
