The Byculla zoo just welcomed its latest entrants: four chicks born earlier this month to a pair of emu birds by natural incubation, for the first time in years.
The chicks are under watch in the zoo’s hospital so as to prevent any infection or parental neglect, which is common among emus. Mumbaikars will thus have to wait for at least a few months before they can catch a glimpse of them.
Dr. Komal Raul, veterinary doctor at the zoo’s hospital who is supervising their care, said, “Among emus, it is the father who incubates the eggs. But he did not do so for the first 25 eggs. We were unsuccessful in incubating them in our facility too. The father incubated only five eggs of which four hatched and one is still in process.” The chicks were born on April 7 and moved to the hospital immediately. Parent-birds may not allow constant monitoring of chicks or may neglect them, even trampling upon them. Besides, the chicks are susceptible to infection.
In 2016, Byculla Zoo saw thousands of visitors each day coming to see the newly-acquired Humboldt penguins. The penguins are still the star attraction despite the management charging an entry fee. The zoo has always had emu birds, a variety native to Australia. The zoo had two females and one male, and one of these pairs gave birth to a chick around three years ago, followed by the four chicks last month. The parent-birds had laid 30 eggs, of which only these four survived.
Emu birds are flightless but are known to be the second largest birds after the ostrich. They can grow up to six feet in height and weigh up to 50 kg.
The chicks are doing well and are active, said hospital authorities. They are being fed green salads, bird feed, tomatoes, fruits, boiled eggs and sprouts. Their weight is recorded everyday.
Dr. Sanjay Tripathi, Director of Byculla zoo, said, “When they will be brought to the enclosure for public viewing is a decision doctors will take.” Meanwhile, authorities are hopeful about the fifth egg.
