Goa zoo to have aviaries for wetland, terrestrial birds

PANAJI: Goa's lone zoo tucked in Bondla wildlife sanctuary will soon have birds on display in two aviaries, designed for wetland and terrestrial birds.

Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) D N F Carvalho said the aviaries are planned as a part of the zoo's infrastructure upgradation, which is prominently funded by Union government's Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

This would be for the first time that this facility would be displaying birds, since its inception in 1969.

Bondla Zoo, situated 60 kms away from Panaji, has been housing only wild animals and reptiles, with no separate enclosure for birds, except Peacock.

The zoo is tucked inside Bondla wildlife sanctuary, one of the smallest sanctuaries in the state.

Carvalho said the wetland and terrestrial birds would be kept in two separate sophisticated aviaries in the zoo, creating a near natural living condition for them.

The state forest department will be studying a model of aviaries from other zoos in the country, which could be emulated here.

The exhibits here would be of the same climatic condition, he said, adding that the migratory birds would not be displayed in the aviary.

The wetland bird will have aviary with the water body inside while terrestrial bird will be in the aviary replicating their environmental conditions.

Carvalho said the forest department is yet to decide on how many species of birds would be kept in the aviary.

Bondla Zoo is currently undergoing Rs 20 crore upgradation, which is mainly funded by the CZA.

The project which began two years back includes beautification and providing better facilities at this zoo, which has also been a major tourist attraction.