An ostrich hatchling is being successfully hand-reared at the Vandalur Zoo (Arignar Anna Zoological Park) here for the first time in the country today, Chief Conservator of Forests and zoo director KSSVP Reddy said here today.
The hatchling was separated from the mother bird after it was found that it was underweight (700 grams). Also, its mobility was restricted and there was also a possibility of the hatchling getting trampled by the mother bird, he said in a statement.
Hence, it was brought to a separate enclosure in the zoo with temperature-regulatory system including an infra-red lamp.
"The 15-day old hatchling is now 1.570 kg and its health is being monitored every two hours. The young bird is on a special feed," he said.
The hand-rearing of any ostrich hatchling was the first of its kind not only in Vandalur Zoo but also in the country, he said.
Ostrich is an exotic bird species of African origin.
