Habitat

Forest clad hills of Southern India

Length of life in Captivity

Once acclimatized these birds bear captivity well. About one year in this garden.

Housing

The birds were houses in a spacious enclosure with sufficient exposure to the sunlight. They were provided with separate feed and water troughs. The birds were provided with perches to sit on it. The enclosure are spacious such that the birds can fly freely inside.

Food in Captivity

Mixed grains - 50 gms
Bread slices - 2 Nos
Greens - 25 gms
Onion - 25 gms
Shell grit - Q.S
Assorted fruits - 10 gms

Treatment in Sickness

Conjunctivitis is commonly found among these birds. The affected birds are separated and put in a cage. Eyes are washed with saline water and eye drops like gentin, ciprofloxazacin etc., can be applied thrice daily. Prophylactic measures adopted by mixing (vitablend) mineral and vitamin supplements in their feed/water.

Since the birds have addicted to spill their food, entry of black outs whose bite will be very painful was evidenced in our garden. Thorough draining of the surrounding is essential to overcome this disaster.

Breeding

Wild dogs have bred nicely in zoos; ( Litter size-10 Nos.) Mating takes place in the open moat itself. The pups were taken care well by the parents (The male was mixed with the group after 90 days of age of pups).

The pups were fed by regurgitated meat of the mother dhole on 30th day. Pups were seen suckling milk from their mother until they were about 41 days old. The mother dhole guarding  the den room until the pups are about 2 months old. While playing with the young ones whenever, they get the smell of the observer they gave alarm call. Male and female become sexually active after 330 days of whelping.

Feed supplements such as Dexorange, Ostocalcium, Vimeral and Polybion were given to the pups and the bitch @ 5ml – 10 ml per animal. ( Mixture of all tonics).

Treatment in Sickness

The wild dog has several times suffered from diarrhoea, dysentry and Hepatic disorders; the former two were probably due to unsuitable diet, and the later to want of exercise. Change of diet and habitation did much good.( Chicken bi-weekly ).

Once mixed vaccination of parvo, canine distemper and Leptospirosis was carried out to the new borne pups. The vaccination practice has been stopped since mortality occurred among the vaccinated pups.

Synonym

Dhole

HABITAT

It occurs throughout the forests of Western ghats ,and is found in the larger forests of Indian peninsula. In southern India it is found on the Nilgiri Hills, on the Travancore ranges, and in other portions of the country.

Length of life in captivity

20 years

Housing

In the wild state the animal is extremely active and the provision of moat in the Zoo should be in such a way that the animal can exercise tolerably. The cage should be provided with a breeding den. Wild dogs are not quarrelsome animals; two or more can, therefore , be kept in the same moat.

Feeding in Captive Condition

Each animal is provided with the following diet:-

Beef without bone- 2.5 kg daily
Chicken- 1.5 kg weekly twice.

Transport

The wild dog is a much smaller animal, the traveling cage should be proportionately diminished. A wooden cage of 4’x 3’x3’ is sufficient to transport the animal .

Habitat

Europe and North America.

Length of life in captivity

47 yrs in captivity.

Housing

The house must be well protected from the sun and should be well ventilated. Copious supply of pure drinking water should be in the room.

Feeding in Captive Conditions

Ragi (cooked) 500gms
Rice gruel with black gram 400+200 gms
Sweet Lime/Orange/Mango 2 Nos., Cucumber 100 gms
Tapioca 200 gms
Jaggery 100 gms
Banana 5 Nos.,
Ground nut (without shell) 100 gms
Honey 100 gms
Milk 500 ml
Raddish (or) Beet root 150 gms
Bread slices 6 Nos.,
Carrrot 200 gms
Cabbage 100 gms

Transport

An Iron cage is indispensable to transport a Bear. The same style of cages recommended for the transport of a lion or tiger will also do well for a bear, but for the later the top and bottom of the cage should also be made of Iron Gratings.

Breeding

Sexual maturity is by 4-5 yrs. Breeding season-May or June. Gestation period- 210 to 255 days. Litter size- 3 in numbers.

Treatment in Sickness

European brown bear animal usually got affected with enteritis. Proper deworming and antibiotic therapy proved useful.