From a 76-year-old elephant to rare wildlife: Inside Central Zoo's growing animal family

Lalitpur, March 11: The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur is currently home to 1,272 animals and birds of 112 species, including a 76-year-old elephant believed to be the oldest resident, according to the National Trust for Nature Conservation which operates and manages the Zoo.

The elephant named 'Pawankali' has become one of the zoo's most remarkable long-time inhabitants. Zoo officials say elephants typically live around 70 to 80 years, making Pawankali one of the most senior animals at the facility. 

Originally established in 1989 BS by then Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher Rana as a private zoo, the site sprawling across six hectare of land was later opened to the public and has since grown into a major attraction and wildlife conservation hub in the country.

According to zoo information officer Ganesh Koirala, the animal population in the zoo keeps fluctuating throughout the year as new animals are born, others die and rescued wildlife are brought from forests.

Among the zoo’s four tigers, the oldest one is 15-year-old 'Baghaura'. There are three rhinoceroses in the zoo with the oldest being 14-year-old 'Bange' while other animals representing various species fall into different age groups.

Not all residents live long lives. Mice, for instance, typically survive only five to six years, informed Koirala. 

The zoo breeds small animals such as mice and rabbits, which are occasionally used as natural prey to feed the python once a week, helping maintain its natural feeding behaviour.

The officials at the zoo shared that animals that fall ill are moved separately in quarantine facilities where veterinarians provide treatment. 

They noted that although some animals reproduce in captivity, breeding success remains limited because the zoo environment cannot fully replicate the natural conditions of the wild, which are more suitable for reproduction.

Still, with its diverse collection of animals- from old elephant to newly born creatures - the Central Zoo continues to offer about 2,000 visitors a glimpse into Nepal's diverse wildlife on a single day on average. (RSS)