Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Technical Session V
Behavioural observation
§ Sweety found very mobile.
§ Seen together with a wild panda on
17th Feb., 26th Feb., 11th March, 1st
April and 3rd April.
§ Sweety gave birth to a cub in a tree
hollow on 7th July, 2004.
§ A success story.
Coordinated planned breeding programme of
Lion-tailed Macaque
§ Lion-tailed Macaque is one of the most endangered species inhabiting the
evergreen forests of Indian Peninsula.
§ The habitat of this species is threatened due to biotic pressures of various
kinds.
§ A programme of planned breeding of this species has been initiated with
financial assistance from Central Zoo Authority.
§ Presently three zoos namely – Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur (State
of Tamil Nadu), Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore (State of
Karnataka), Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, Thiruvananthapuram (State of
Kerala) are actively participating in the programme.
§ The existing population of this species has been studied and exchanges of
individuals have been effected among zoos with a view to form social groups.
§ A social group from San Diego Zoo is also being received to provide requisite
stability to the existing zoo population.
§ The aim of the programme is to establish a viable population of LTM in
captivity and restocking of the wild.
§ It is hoped that restocking of the species would focus attention on the need
to protect the habitat for conserving the rich biodiversity occurring in the
unique ecosystem of the evergreen forests found in the peninsular India.
Ecology and behaviour of LTM in wilderness & captivity
§ Lives in groups of 8 to 40 animals (Average 18 animals)
§ Groups comprise of – one adult – one sub-adult male – five to seven adult
females remaining juveniles and infants
§ Birth – throughout the year – peak December and February
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