Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar celebrates a significant milestone with the birth of a healthy Gaur (Bos gaurus) calf.
Born to in-zoo parents, this addition brings the total Gaur population at the park to seven—three males, three females, and the newborn calf.
This marks the zoo’s first Gaur birth since June 5, 2024, and follows observed mating in November 2024. The calf’s arrival underscores the success of the Conservation Breeding Programme under the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), New Delhi, and coordinated by Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru. Participating institutions also include Chennai’s Arignar Anna Zoological Park and Goa’s Bondla Zoo.
The Gaur is the largest wild cattle species, revered for its imposing frame, convex forehead, and light-colored leg markings. As a mega-herbivore, it plays a crucial ecological role in maintaining forest biodiversity.
Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the species is a conservation priority. The successful birth is a step forward in building an insurance population—a coordinated effort among 19 Indian zoos to secure the Gaur’s long-term survival through ex-situ conservation.
