Date:24/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/24/stories/2008042450290200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati

New visitors at Tirupati zoo

Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar

Added attraction: The flock of Grey Pelicans that arrived at the SV Zoological Park, Tirupati. -

TIRUPATI: The new flock of seven ‘Grey Pelicans’ have become yet another attraction at Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati.

The huge birds, which migrate seasonally in search of food and breeding ground, land at Nelapattu, a fresh water lake near the Chittoor-Nellore border. These seven hatchlings were believed to have strayed into human habitations near the lake and were rescued by the villagers and handed over to the zoo authorities.

Pelicans prefer only fresh water lake, in sharp contrast to flamingos that look out for brackish water bodies.

While pink-coloured pelicans are occasionally sighted, all the seven Pelicans in the zoo are grey coloured. The hatchlings are very young and the wingless ones merely walk or just slide along the water.

“The bird has a pouch beneath its beak which is used for scooping fish. We plan to educate the students and young visitors about the bird and its fish-catching techniques,” says the Zoo Curator K.Chandrasekhar Pillai.

The zoo has already witnessed a steady rise in the number of visitors with the annual vacations setting in. Even Tirumala-bound devotees visiting from far-off places prefer to take a peep as it is situated close to the foot of the hills.