Captive breeding of tigers begins in Nandankanan Zoo

The famous Nandankanan Zoo in Bhubaneshwar has restarted breeding of tigers in captivity for maintaining a viable population.

Bhubaneshwar, Sept 7 : The famous Nandankanan Zoo in Bhubaneshwar has restarted breeding of tigers in captivity for maintaining a viable population.

The zoo launched a captive breeding programme with its youngest group of three tigers now four-years-old, and the authorities find it to be the right time to go for planned breeding.

The famous zoo currently has 28 tigers -- 10 white and 18 normal coloured ones.

Zoo officials believe genetic management of captive population is essential for a successful programme through maximum avoidance of inbreeding, as it causes reduction in reproduction as well as revival of the species.

Director of the zoo, Ajit Kumar Patnaik says careful breeding plan is being initiated through calculation of the inbreeding co-efficient of individual big cats through an observation of their pedigrees.

"To discourage the inbreeding and to maintain the hybrid figure, kinship as well as the right kind of pedigree, the Central Zoo Authority has caped on breeding of the tigers," said Patnaik.

Zoo employees find the step will attract more visitors.

"Government had banned breeding of tigers, now it has allowed captive breeding. We are happy. The population will increase and more visitors will also come to the zoo. Actually I treated this tiger as my child, so I feel happy," said Subal Behara, caretaker of a tigers.

With over 28 tigers, the zoo enjoys an international reputation for successfully breeding black panthers, crocodiles and white tigers in captivity.

Nandankanan Zoo, spread over 1940 square kilometres, is home to over 67 species of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81 species of birds. It also houses a botanical garden and a part of it has been declared a sanctuary.

ANI