The state could soon boast of a breeding house for wild animal species of lower taxonomy once the Union Government grants final clearance for the zoological park project at Puthoor in Thrissur.
“Though captive breeding of endangered species is not a rarity, a breeding house for amphibians, small reptiles and invertebrates would be the first of its kind in the country,” officials said.
“The breeding house will be on the lines of the one at Durrell Wildlife Park on the Jersey Island. The concept was well received by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA),” said S B Yelaki, nodal officer of the park project. The breeding house would be set up on the top floor of a two-storeyed building planned on the valley near the Central Garden.
The species would be housed in separate cubicles in maximum possible natural conditions.
“The breeding house will be managed by qualified personnel. In the initial phase, three research scholars will oversee the activities under expert guidance,” Yelaki said. “The selection of species would be based on the risk factor,” the special officer said.
“We have already prepared a list of endangered species to be included in the project. The newborns will be released to natural habitats in forests at the ideal time,” he said. The Zoological Park project at Puthoor to relocate the animals of the 127-year-old zoo in Thrissur town is awaiting the final clearance of the CZA.
The park named ‘Thrissur Zoological Park- Wildlife Conservation and Research Centre’ will be unique in the country in several aspects.
Spread over 150 acres, the zoo would house the animals in natural enclosures to the possible extend.
The master plan has been prepared with minimum alterations to the terrain and surroundings. The zoo would also have captive breeding of Nilgiri tahrs and lion-tailed macaques.
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