Hi-tech incubator to hatch rare bird eggs

The breeding of rare bird species at the zoo is expected to get a fillip with the procurement of a hi-tech incubator by the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) here.

The incubator, equipped with trays of different sizes, will help in the breeding of rare avian species like ostrich, emu and parrots.

The sprawling 625-acre zoo, popularly known as Vizag Zoo, is unique with natural settings, forming the backdrop of the zoo and the moats and enclosures, developed in sync with nature, making use of the hills, natural stream and trees.

Major attraction

While this is a major attraction for visitors, the contiguous hills on two sides of the zoo, which act as barriers from the vagaries of nature, also provide shelter to predators like snakes and other wild animals. These wild animals sometimes scale the walls and encroach into the enclosures.

“The prospect of bringing country fowls to hatch the eggs of their cousins from the wild is ruled out as the growing apartment culture in the city has made most people give up the practice of rearing hens at their homes. This apart, a country hen can hatch only two or three eggs at a time. We are also against bringing country hens into the zoo as they could cause spread of viral infections,” zoo doctor Srinivas told

The Hindu .

“Against this backdrop, there is every danger of the eggs of the rare birds like peahens, emu and ostrich being eaten by the predators, when the birds let their guard down on the eggs for short intervals. The incubator allows the temperature, humidity, rotation and turning to be set in a controlled environment,” says Dr. Srinivas.

“The incubator, costing Rs.1.9 lakh, purchased with funds given by Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, is also equipped with inverter backup,” said Zoo Curator B. Vijay Kumar.