In Pictures: Adorable Humboldt penguins at Byculla Zoo swim and play with each other
Officials from the zoo claimed that not only are the penguins being kept busy with several activities throughout the day, but there are even plans to add equipment for them to play with in their enclosures in the future.
After a wait of around seven months in the quarantine, the Humboldt penguins were shifted to their permanent home the state of art exhibit at Byculla Zoo where tourists will be able to view them on March 6, 2017. The 1800 square feet exhibit designed by HKS International has 500 square feet of pool area that will have around 40,000 litre of water for the penguins to swim.
The seven penguins at the zoo currently are called Bubble, Mr Molt, Donald, Daisy, Popeye, Olive and Flipper.
A total of eight humboldt penguins three males and five females were brought from Seoul to the Byculla zoo on July 26, 2016. However one of them who was named Dory died on October 23, due to bacterial infection causing quite an uproar leading to several protest by activists as well as political parties.
Even as activists bemoan a lack of activities, apart from a swimming pool, in the new enclosures for the penguins at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale (VJB) Zoo, officials from the zoo claimed that not only are the penguins being kept busy with several activities throughout the day, but there are even plans to add equipment for them to play with in their enclosures in the future.
“These seven Humboldt penguins are very playful and are extremely active, and we have been ensuring that they are kept engaged with various activities throughout the day. They love to give a chase, and so we have included laser-chasing activities for them, for which they not only come out of the water but even dive and jump around,” said Dr Madhumita Kale, the head veterinarian who is in charge of the penguins.
Text by Virat A Singh/Images - DNA
Eight penguins, including five females, were procured from Coex Aquarium in Seoul on July 26 and brought to the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (popularly known as Byculla zoo) here. Image courtesy: DNA
However, the Zoo lost a penguin named Dory in October 2016 due to some bacterial infection. Image courtesy: DNA
The remaining seven Humboldt penguins housed in a permanent enclosure at the Byculla Zoo, have been on public viewing since Mrch 18, 2017 onwards, according to civic officials. Image courtesy: DNA
The remaining penguins have now been kept in the permanent enclosure, which is spread over 1,800 sq ft and consists of a water pool, accommodation area, air handling units and a chiller system to maintain temperatures between 12 to 14 degrees Celsius. Image courtesy: DNA
According to Sanjay Tripathi, director of Byculla zoo were shifted to the enclosure only after ensuring a conducive ambience. Image courtesy: DNA
Madhumita Kale, the head veterinarian who is in charge of the penguins, said, "Apart from chasing laser lights, another activity that the penguins love involves playing with brightly coloured rings and balls that have been provided to them in their enclosure." Image courtesy: DNA
"The penguins are fed twice a day, once in the morning around 8.30 and the second time around at 3.30 pm. The penguins are also undergoing regular health checkups", Kale said. Image courtesy: DNA
Dr Neha Shah, who is also part of the Byculla Zoo's team, said,"We make it a point to ensure that the activities conducted for them are not repeated, and that each time some new element is introduced, all the seven penguins are involved." Image courtesy: DNA