The nursery corner of the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park has been unusually busy this summer. Over the past few weeks, the zoo has recorded the birth of several animals and birds, including Indian gray wolves, Asian wild dogs, a striped hyena, spotted deer, a barking deer, marmosets and a variety of bird species, giving a boost to its ongoing conservation breeding programme.

As for visitors flocking to the zoo this season, the new residents are already drawing crowds near the enclosures, especially during feeding hours when the young animals come to their alert mothers. Among the most carefully observed upon arrival are three Indian gray wolf pups.

Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, the Indian gray wolf is one of the highly protected carnivores of the country. In wild areas, shrinking habitat, diminishing prey base and constant conflict with humans are taking a toll on the species. Zoo officials say the birth of the pups was possible due to stable enclosure conditions, careful environmental enrichment and a low-stress environment.

Equally notable is the birth of 10 Asian wild dogs, or dholes, a species classified as endangered. Drums, known for their herd behavior, require tightly coordinated social structures for reproduction and survival. Visakhapatnam Zoo is one of the institutions recognized by the Central Zoo Authority for planned conservation breeding of species.

“We are providing constant veterinary care, proper nutrition and careful management of the packs,” says G Mangamma, curator of the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. The zoo has also reported the birth of a striped hyena cub, a marmoset, eight spotted deer fawns and a barking deer fawn. In the aviary section, two gray pelicans, seven lutino parrots and two rainbow lorikeets have added color and activity to the enclosures.

Curator Mangamma says raising a sensitive species like marmosets requires closely controlled temperatures, stable social settings and specially designed diets.