4 min readMumbaiJan 4, 2024 05:31 PM IST
First published on: Dec 31, 2023 at 08:57 PM IST
Six months after the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Byculla Zoo (Ranibaug) launched a programme to swap two Humboldt penguins with other animals and birds, the exchange proposal has found no takers from other zoos across the country. High cost of operation and maintenance incurred in the upkeep of the penguin enclosure are among the primary reasons for the lack of positive responses, according to experts. The annual cost of maintaining the penguins at the Byculla zoo stands at approximately Rs 5 crore.
While the popular penguin exhibit at the zoo has a capacity to house 25 penguins, with the birth of the latest batch of penguin chicks — Coco (female), Stella (female) and Jerry (male) — this year, the total number of aquatic birds has now shot up to 18.
In anticipation of more births, Ranibaug had floated the proposal for an exchange programme of two penguins this year, in July. However, the exchange programme has not garnered any positive responses from zoos across the nation, owing to the high costs of maintenance.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Sanjay Tripathi, director of the zoo, said that the zoo has not received responses from any zoo for the exchange programme of penguins yet.
He said, “Currently, Mumbai zoo is the only zoo which displays penguins and has the adequate facilities for them. The exchange programme can only be undertaken if the other zoo has all the required facilities to look after the aquatic birds. Development of proper exhibit and other provisions will at least take a year’s time. The cost of operation and maintenance is also high owing to which, zoos don’t accept the exchange proposal.”
Tripathi added that the maintenance of penguins at the Mumbai zoo entails the appointment of keepers, veterinarians, surveillance, filtration of the pond water, as well as the aquatic birds’ feed, amongst other things.
Thriving in their 1800 sq ft enclosure and waddling through the icy waters within, the penguins are fed four to five types of fish thrice a day, which is processed using the blast frozen technology. The ‘export quality fish’ feed is acquired from a Vashi based agency.
“For the fish feed, we use the blast frozen technology wherein after the catch, fish undergo a special processing to kill the bacteria after which they are stored at -40 degrees Celsius. After we receive it, the zoo stores it at – 20 degrees, before feeding it to the penguins,” added Tripathi.
Besides this, in a bid to possess a new animal/bird as well as develop their exhibits, a zoo also has to obtain the approvals from Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
Furthermore, it is essential for the zoo to have the plan for the creation of a new enclosure included in their master plans. Tripathi said, “In 2012, when Mumbai zoo had created its first master plan, we had already included and pitched for the creation of a display for Humboldt penguins. However, most zoos don’t have this provision included in their plans.”
Named after popular cartoon characters, eight Humboldt Penguins were first brought to the zoo in 2016 from Seoul. Amid scientifically approved care, their population grew gradually with the penguins giving birth to four new chicks, this year alone. While Dora (female) was born on February 21, Coco was born on April 27 to Molt (male) and Flipper (female). On May 23, Popeye (male) and Olive (female) gave birth to Stella where as the youngest of the lot, Jerry, who was born to Donald (male) and Daisy (female), celebrates his birthday on June 27.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Sanjay Tripathi, director of the zoo, said that the zoo has not received responses from any zoo for the exchange programme of penguins yet. (File Photo) 
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