After 20 years alone, Delhi Zoo’s Egyptian vulture Jatayu may finally get a mate

The Delhi Zoos lone Egyptian vulture Jatayu which has spent more than two decades without a mate will finally have company with authorities in talks with two zoos in other states to find a suitable pairing for the ageing birdJatayu was rescued after it migrated to Delhi and was brought to the National Zoological Park more than 20 years ago Since then it has been the only Egyptian vulture housed there as other inmates died due to age and health related issuesA Delhi Zoo official told PTI that discussions are currently underway with two zoos for a possible pairing for JatayuHowever the process is still in a preliminary stage and the zoo has not disclosed the names of the institutions being considered for the proposed arrangementTalks are on with two zoos for the pairing he said adding that they would be able to share details only after the proposed transfer or exchange is formally worked outHe said that the zoo is also looking at conservation facilities in Pinjore Haryana where officials are scheduled to visit on September 6 to understand the ongoing vulture breeding and conservation programmeThe vulture breeding and conservation centre at Pinjore has been working on conservation breeding of critically endangered Gyps vultures and has also undertaken programmes to release captivebred birds into the wildThe facility is jointly run by the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History SocietyEgyptian vultures generally begin breeding at around four to five years of age and form longterm pair bondsThey typically lay one egg per breeding season with both parents involved in incubation and raising the chickThe species can live for around 25 years in the wild and potentially longer in captivity allowing individuals to remain reproductively active for several yearsThe official said birds and other animals cannot simply be brought to the zoo from such facilities and are acquired through established mechanisms such as animal exchange programmes or giftsAny vulture brought to Delhi would therefore have to come through one of these approved arrangementsJatayu is not the only one The National Zoological Park is seeking partners for 16 species represented either by lone individuals or samesex groups with some animals having remained without mates for several years as part of efforts to boost breeding and introduce fresh bloodlinesThe zoos two male ostriches both around seven to eight years old have been without female partners since they were brought from Chhatbir Zoo in 2021A nineyearold female rhea has also remained without a mate since arriving at the zoo in 2018 according to an officialThe zoo is also seeking a female partner for a male barn owl that has been alone since 2022 Other animals for which partners are being sought include a male Indian grey hornbill grey langur small Indian civet and black swan he saidHe said that an 18yearold female rhinoceros is another case She had briefly been paired with a male brought to Delhi in 2024 but the male died in 2025The zoo is now looking for another male for her while its black bear group consists of four females following the death of a male in 2024Zoo officials have said multiple animal exchange proposals are at different stages of discussion with zoos in several statesThe effort to find companions for lone animals comes as the zoo is also working on a broader plan to expand its collection Under a proposed modernisation plan the National Zoological Park has identified 109 new species and 2943 animals for acquisition which would take its planned collection to 201 speciesThe proposed acquisitions include cheetahs New World monkeys mouse deer and butterflies besides several other mammals birds reptiles and insectsMouse deer are also proposed to be reintroduced to the zoo after nearly three decades while animals are expected to be sourced mainly through exchanges with other zoosThe expansion plan comes after the zoos collection declined from 99 species three years ago to 92 species currently with around 1255 animalsSeveral species including chimpanzees giraffes and zebras have disappeared from the collection over the years while African elephants are also absentThe modernisation proposal also envisages new and upgraded enclosures habitatbased zoning rejuvenation of water bodies and improved veterinary facilitiesA dedicated rescue and rehabilitation centre biodiversity trails and specialised facilities for different groups of animals are also part of the broader planFor now however the focus remains on finding a companion for Jatayu The bird could soon have a chance at pairing if the ongoing discussions with the two zoos result in a suitable exchange or giftThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute 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