Historic Ostrich Birth at Rajasthan’s Ramniwas Bagh Zoo

In a groundbreaking achievement for Rajasthan, the Ramniwas Bagh zoo has witnessed its first successful ostrich breeding in captivity. Avantika, a female ostrich, recently laid 11 eggs, one of which has hatched, resulting in a healthy chick.

The newborn ostrich has quickly become a star attraction at the zoo, drawing large crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the young bird. Zoo staff are providing meticulous care to ensure the chick’s health and safety.

Prachi Chaudhary, Assistant Conservator of Forests, underscored the importance of this milestone. “Ostriches are indigenous to Africa, and their natural habitat is quite different from that of Jaipur. However, through careful acclimatization and the provision of appropriate breeding facilities and incubation methods, we were able to achieve this success. On the day of Holi, Avantika laid 11 eggs, and we are thrilled that one has hatched successfully.”

Chaudhary also reflected on previous attempts, noting that in March-June 2022, Avantika had laid eggs, but unfortunately, they did not hatch. “This successful hatching is a testament to our persistent efforts and is seen as a significant achievement,” she added.

Looking ahead, Chaudhary shared that there are plans to construct a large aviary within the zoo to further enhance the breeding environment for the ostriches and support future conservation efforts.

To ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and the newborn, the zoo has installed CCTV cameras for round-the-clock monitoring. This level of attention underscores the rarity and importance of captive ostrich breeding, which demands highly controlled conditions.

Chaudhary emphasized that this achievement is part of the zoo’s larger commitment to ex-situ conservation. “Through captive breeding, we can play a vital role in preserving species like the ostrich, contributing positively to biodiversity conservation,” she explained.

The successful hatching of the ostrich chick represents a major step forward in the zoo’s conservation initiatives, offering hope for future breeding successes and the long-term preservation of the species.