Work on new aquatic aviary begins at Thiruvananthapuram zoo

To offer enough space for waterbirds to move about

The aviary will provide a natural setting for the waterbirds,including rosy pelicans, grey pelicans, painted stork,white ibis, and spoonbill.

The pelicans, storks and ibises at the city zoo will no longer suffer from cramped conditions.

Work began on a new aquatic aviary at the zoo recently. It will come up over the small pond on the premises and offer ample space for the waterbirds to move about.

The Rs.2.6-crore project is being taken up by Steel Industrials Kerala Ltd. in two phases. The first phase, which will cost Rs.1.3 crore, will be taken up this financial year, and the second phase next year.

Sanction has been obtained for the full project, Zoo Director K. Gangadharan said.

There will be an island in the middle of the pond with vegetation for the birds to perch on. Provision will be made for rainwater to drain in and out. There will be night shelter for the birds. Bordering the pond on one side will be the visitors’ path. A chain-linked mesh will be used for the enclosure.

Natural setting

Mr. Gangadharan said the aviary would provide a natural setting for the birds to thrive in. Visitors too would be able to see them in a more hospitable environment.

Arrangements would be made for the birds to roost, and build nests too. This would help bring out their innate behaviour.

The project, a brainchild of the previous Zoo Director B. Joseph, had inspired by an aviary seen in Sri Lanka, a zoo source said. It included a wide depression into which fell water from a height, akin to a waterfall. This ensured aeration of the water, and created a natural environment for visitors’ benefit.

Mr. Gangadharan said the project would likely be completed by this time next year.

The zoo at present houses rosy pelicans, grey pelicans, painted stork, white ibis, spoonbill, pond heron, black swan, mute swan, and lesser whistling teal.