12 bird species at Pilikula Zoo live alone, awaiting companions
Solitary species at zoos often show signs of depression, are harder to manage: Activists
Mangaluru: Amid the vibrant life of Pilikula Biological Park, home to over 1,000 animals and birds, 12 bird species are quietly enduring loneliness, kept without companions, raising concerns about their welfare and the challenges of pairing captive birds.
According to the Pilikula Biological Park’s inventory, as cited by The New Indian Express on Tuesday, the lone birds include the White‑Bellied Sea Eagle, White Scavenger Vulture, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Cockatoo Galah, Sri Lankan Bay Owl, Grey Horned Owl, Blue Rock Pigeon, Fantail Pigeon, Black Swan, Green Turaco, Violet Turaco, and Silver Pheasant.
Activists quoted in the report warn that animals kept without mates often show signs of depression and are harder to manage. One activist also claimed that an Egyptian Vulture has had no companion in the zoo for three years.
“As per the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) guidelines, no animal or bird should be kept without a companion for more than six months, and if not, they must arrange a companion,” TNIE quoted Dinesh Holla, a wildlife activist, as saying.
Raju Kidoor, a conservationist and bird expert, emphasised the emotional stress caused to certain species. He said that White‑Bellied Sea Eagles and Malabar Grey Hornbills are highly family‑oriented birds. “Without companions, we cannot get to see their usual activities. They do not change their companion, hence finding a pair for such birds is not easy,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
Dr Arun Shetty, Commissioner of the Pilikula Development Authority, confirmed that the zoo has submitted a proposal to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) under its animal‑exchange programme to bring in suitable partners for the solitary birds.
He added that some of these birds are rescues that cannot be released into the wild, which makes finding mates more challenging.
On a positive note, Shetty shared that the zoo recently received around 15 new animals through the programme. “The sloth bear at the zoo was without a companion for more than a year. Now, under the animal exchange program, we managed to get a pair of sloth bears. Similarly, we are trying to get mates for other solo animals and birds,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
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Russian military hardware, spare parts for Indian military to be manufactured in India
New Delhi (PTI): Russia agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of military hardware and spare parts for maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment.
Ways to bolster overall bilateral defence cooperation figured prominently during summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
It has been a long-standing grievance of armed forces that the supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia takes a long time, affecting the maintenance of military systems procured from that country.
"Both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under Make-in-India programme through transfer of technology," a joint statement said.
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It said both sides also agreed to set up joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian armed forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.
The joint statement said the India-Russia defence partnership is being reoriented to take up joint co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems.
In their meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov resolved to expand bilateral defence cooperation.
In the meeting, the Indian side showed keen interest in procurement of additional batches of S-400 missile systems from Moscow to bolster its combat prowess.
In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
The S-400 systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile systems from Russia.
In the Modi-Putin talks, the two sides also agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral trade settlements through the use of national currencies.
Additionally, the two sides agreed to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, as well as central bank digital currency platforms.
Modi and Putin appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a free trade agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest, the joint statement said.
They also directed both sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investment, it said.
India and Russia also welcomed steps to ensure long-term supply of fertilisers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area.
