Destination Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 31: A pair of ostriches is soon expected to make Nandankanan Zoological Park their home. Zoo authorities had initiated the process of procuring two of the world’s largest birds a couple of months ago.

Zoo sources said the birds would be procured from bird sellers, either within the country or abroad. The process would be facilitated by a Hyderabad-based agency.

“We had taken steps to procure a pair of ostriches in June and are waiting to get the birds,” said deputy director of the zoo Chitta Ranjan Mishra.

This is the second attempt of the zoo authorities to procure ostriches. In 1999, they had brought three of these birds. However, they were unable to adapt to the climate here and died within six months.

The ostrich, one of the few species of large flightless birds found in Africa, has a distinctive appearance with a long neck and long legs. It can run at a speed of nearly 70kmph, the fastest running speed for any bird.

This time, the zoo authorities are trying to ensure that the birds survive. They have asked the zoo medical team to create a special enclosure for the birds. They would be kept there for some time before being released for public view.

“We are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the birds, which are rarely seen in the state,” said Mandakini Rout, a visitor.

In July, Nandankanan had got its first giraffe — a one-year-old female — under an animal exchange programme with Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna. In exchange, the zoo had to part with two chimpanzees, Kartik and Subhadra.

In 2008, there was an attempt to transport a giraffe from Calcutta’s Alipore zoo. But, the animal was electrocuted on the way.

“We have been working to procure a variety of animal species so that more visitors are attracted to the zoo. We recently added the hill mynah and the grey hornbill to the zoo’s collection. The ostriches will definitely attract more visitors,” said a senior official of the zoo.

Set up in 1960, the zoo currently has 1,973 animals of 121species. This includes 55 species of birds, 42 species of mammals and 24 species of reptiles.