Mysore zoo to breed sparrow in captivity

Absence of trees in urban areas have forced the birds to migrate to rural areas

 
Rapid urbanisation and concretisation of the heritage city has resulted in the disappearance of sparrow.

The cute little birds were once found in abundance in houses and on trees. Today, sighting a sparrow is quite rare.

In the absence of trees and ‘suitable houses’, the birds have migrated to rural areas. As a result most of the city-bred children have only seen pictures of a sparrow.

In-charge Executive Director of Mysore Zoo, Vijay Ranjan Singh told Deccan Herald that the zoo did not have any problems in reserving a portion in one of the enclosures exclusively for the sparrow.

Habitat improvement

The zoo has never lagged when it comes to habitat improvement of any bird or animal. Besides, the zoo has got expertise in breeding rare species of animals and birds.

The Mysore Zoo has the record of breeding the Asian elephant in captivity and also the giraffe.

Since there is natural ambience inside the zoo with much privacy for the captive animals and birds, an effort will be made to breed the sparrow. A suitable place where there are plenty of trees for making nests will be selected.

Big family

The zoo personnel will bring the sparrow and leave them in the enclosure to help them breed. “If everything goes well, the sparrow will soon join the big family of Mysore zoo,” he added.