Date:14/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/14/stories/2004061413280300.htm

New Delhi

Sri Lankan mates for Delhi's red lechwes

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 13. The National Zoological Park here in the Capital received a "very special gift" as part of an exchange package this weekend. And while the zoo authorities are happy with the gift, most delighted are the two male red lechwes who now have partners and may not fight with each other from now on.

The zoo had lost three red lechwe males to infighting seven months back and the lone female had died of old age, leaving the zoo with two males and no female to pair them with. Thus began a frantic search for female lechwes who were zeroed upon at the Sri Lanka zoo. The zoo has finally received the two red female lechwes from the National Zoological Garden, Colombo in exchange for black bucks.

"The two animals arrived at the zoo on Friday evening. We have given them time to relax and get used to the city heat. We are hoping that the animals will settle well, and adapt fast to the changed environment. The animals have been brought to the zoo in exchange of black bucks,'' says the director of the National Zoological Park, B.S. Bonal.

The red lechwe lives in herds of 20-30 and is easily adaptive to human presence. Found in semi-aquatic conditions, a medium sized lechwe has long, curving horns. The red lechwe is most happy in water-logged areas and its elongated hooves allow it to traverse over swampy terrain without sinking. It lives in seasonal swamps and flood plains where it feeds on grasses. The animal is clumsy and slow on dry land and incredibly fast in water.

Speaking about the upkeep of the animal, the zoo vet Paneer Selvam said: "We want to pair the animals soon and we are now thinking of building larger enclosures to accommodate the animals in pairs. We have previously lost three males to infighting and will be careful this time not to let the same situation arise again."