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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Ahead of good Friday, SWR announces special train between Yesvantpur-Kannur via Mangaluru
Bengaluru: Ahead of the upcoming Good Friday festival weekend, the South Western Railway has announced a one-trip special train service between Yesvantpur Junction and Kannur via Mangaluru Junction.
According to an official released from the SWR, Train Number 06551 Yesvantpur–Kannur Express Special will depart Yesvantpur at 11.50 am on April 2 and is scheduled to arrive Kannur at 3.00 am on April 3.
In the return direction, Train Number 06552 Kannur–Yesvantpur Express Special will leave Kannur at 8.45 am on April 3 and reach Yesvantpur at 9.30 pm the same day.
The special train will halt at Kunigal, Channarayapatna, Hassan, Sakleshpura, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Bantawala, Mangaluru Junction, Kasaragod, Kanhangad and Payyannur.
The train composition will have two AC two-tier coaches, six AC three-tier coaches, seven sleeper class coaches, four general second class coaches.
