NEW DELHI: Two African grey parrots, an endangered species, have been placed in quarantine for 21 days after they were handed over to the Delhi zoo by the customs department. A special cage with stairs, a perch and a cave is being built, and after the quarantine period is over, the parrots will be on display.
Dharamdeo Rai, director of National Zoological Park, said, “Whenever an animal is handed over to the Delhi zoo, we keep them under observation. If these African grey parrots are found to be fit and healthy after the quarantine is over, we will put them on display.”
According to zoo officials, the cage is especially being designed for the two birds. “The cage is being prepared to provide the parrots with enough space. We want them to be active, hence, there would be stairs for them. There will be a cave to provide an option for the birds to sit,” said an official. The grey parrots will be transferred to the new cage after the quarantine period.
Faecal samples of the parrots are being tested to check if they have any disease. “If they are found to be ill, we will treat them and keep them with other birds in the zoo only after they are declared fit,” said an official.
A special diet plan has also been prepared for the new residents. Apart from seasonal fruits, they are being fed cucumber, black pepper and dry fruits like almonds and walnuts.
Air Customs at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) handed over to the zoo on Wednesday the two African grey parrots, which were brought from Africa by a man from Congo. The species is listed under Appendix I of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora.
According to customs officials, the passenger arrived at IGIA on Tuesday from Adidas Ababa. He arrived at the red channel to declare the import of the two grey parrots. “However, he did not have a no-objection certificate from Animal Quarantine and Certification Service, veterinary health certificate and an import licence from Director General of Foreign Trade,” said an official.
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