Three calves of Indian Gaur (bison), born in captivity at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, will soon be christened by the public. The addition of the calves – aged 6, 7 and 10 months – has taken the total number of Gaurs in the zoo to 11. Of the three, two are males and one female.
Indian Gaur is a rare and endangered species. It was well distributed in the Eastern Ghats in the past but now their numbers have dwindled with rarely a few sighted in the hilly regions of Chintapalli, Supparla and in East Godavari district. The calves are generally kept under observation for about six months after their birth to monitor their growth.
The zoo authorities are now planning to name the calves in about a week’s time. “We want to involve the general public in a big way in the naming ceremony. The objective is to generate interest among them in associating with wildlife. Three baskets would be kept in front of the bison enclosure and visitors can suggest three-letter names for the calves, two males and one female,” Zoo Curator B. Vijay Kumar said.
“Visitors have to write the names on a piece of paper, to be provided, and write their name address and phone number on the reverse. We are planning to invite celebrities to take the draw of lots to select the names for the calves. Upcoming actor Sailesh (hero of ‘Chal, Chal Gurram’), who hails from Vizag, has agreed to participate in the draw. We are also trying to rope in former Test cricketer V.V.S. Lakshman, who has a keen interest in wildlife, to participate in the programme,” he said.
