Guwahati: It was a wish come true for Assam State Zoo.
Judging by the relationship between Jimly Baruah and her adopted blue and yellow macaw called Wish, the adoption scheme of the zoo is turning out to be a success.
Jimly celebrated the 25th birthday of Wish at the zoo by cutting a cake and offering fruits to the macaw, which seemed thrilled to see her. Wish even uttered a few words like ki anisa (what have you brought) and kaju to Jimly.
The macaw did not come to the front of his cage as it was drizzling and Jimly had to go into the cage to feed him.
Jimly told The Telegraph, "I came to know about the adoption scheme from a story published in The Telegraph. I went to the zoo and saw this beautiful macaw. I fell in love at first sight and wanted to adopt him immediately. An application was submitted four years ago but the zoo had suspended the scheme for some time. Finally, I adopted him on February 3 this year. It is lovely celebrating his birthday. I come here at least once a week. We have forged a beautiful relationship and he can understand me. He can also speak a few words."
A bird expert said a macaw has the intelligence of a four-year-old child.
The zoo has a catalogue of birds and animals available for adoption by paying a certain amount.
The rates vary from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,00,000. One can adopt birds like a kingfisher or a spot-billed duck for Rs 5,000.
A budgie, emu or hill mynah can cost Rs 10,000, while Rs 20,000 will get one a macaw or great white pelican.
Bigger animals like a crocodile or Himalayan bear cost Rs 50,000 while a royal Bengal tiger comes at Rs 75,000.
The highest amount of Rs 1,00,000 is solely reserved for the one-horned rhino.
Zoo divisional forest officer Tejas Mariswamy requested more people to adopt zoo animals. "Parents can gift a child an adopted animal. It will create a bond and stir empathy in children, which will help in conservation efforts," he said.
At a seminar on exotic birds held in the afternoon, director of Sunshine Birdworld, Debashis Banerjee, spoke of the dietary needs and importance of proper habitat for exotic birds like cockatoos, toucans, caiques and other species in captivity.
