In what could be termed as a unique model to de-stress birds listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972,and found in the wetlands,a Vadodara-based zoologist has created an adaptable environment that has a direct impact on the breeding mechanism of birds. Through his model of Artificial Nesting Platforms (ANP),Ranjitsinh Devkar was able to prove that stress conditions had a direct impact on the reproduction of birds. Devkar served as a lecturer of the Bahauddin Science College,Junagadh in 2001 where he interacted with officials of the Sakkar Baug Zoo, which is among the oldest and largest zoos in India involved in breeding of several endangered bird species. During this time,Devkar was successful in breeding Schedule IV birds such as Oriental Wand Painted Stork as also Schedule I birds like Spoonbills. He said: Both birds have different behaviour. The Painted Stork is aggressive and steals all the nesting material,while the Spoonbills are calm. This led to territorial conflicts. We found that when both birds were kept in the same aviary,there was stress and no reproduction. After both species were given separate space,they reproduced and the results were very good. According to the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF),Gir,R D Katara,the success was remarkable to the extent that they released many Oriental White Ibis back in the wetlands. This method is still being followed at the Sakkar Baug Zoo. Painted Storks and Spoonbills were also released in a similar fashion, he said. Only recently,Devkar,who is now attached with the M S University (MSU),Zoology Department,has been approached by an expert from Australia to conduct similar attempt on Australian White Ibis. He said: A variety of anthropogenic alterations have made most of the wetland habitats vulnerable,whereas their further degradation fails to provide the quality feeding habitats for the birds. Studies on captive breeding of wetland birds such as White Ibis are mandatory since their number greatly contributes in determining the avian density and biodiversity index of any of wetlands in India. He added: Earlier,aviaries at the zoos had no material on natural habitat of Oriental White Ibis. Later,ANPs were designed depending on the pilot observations of nesting behaviour of White Ibis. Materials such as leaf twig from neem,banyan and Goras Amli were added. We divided the entire period of study into four phases. Sakkar Baug Zoo Curator V J Rana told Newsline: The issue of keeping animals and giving them natural habitat also applies to mammals,and this concept is being followed now.
