Mangalore: Birds of different feathers flock to Pilikula

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Mar 7: The Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park (Pilikula Nisargadhama) now has a special variety of birds that are not so familiar to Mangaloreans. The Park on Thursday March 6 welcomed about 40 birds of seven species, including Siberian migratory birds.

The birds were obtained from Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, under the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) animal exchange programme.

Some of the birds welcomed into the aviary set up at the Park include Grey Pelican, Painted Stork, Purple Heron, Red and Grey jungle fowls, White Ibis and Silver Pheasant.

Speaking to reporters, director of the Park H Jayaprakash Bhandary said that birds will be available for public viewing at the aviary, but may take some time to get used to the new environment.

The aviary had been inaugurated by minister of tourism R V Deshpande in February.

Jayaprakash informed that the aviary spread over 25,000 sq ft has been built at a cost of Rs 40 lac, and is covered with mesh. It is 200 ft long, 150 ft wide and has a height of about 50 ft. The birds will be fed on fish. The aviary also has trees, plants and a water body, he said.

Another 40 birds of different varieties from zoos in Surat, Uttar Pradesh and north India are expected to join the present flock.