Chhat Bir (Patiala), July 13
Thirtyfive eggs of the emu bird lying in the bird’s enclosure at Chhat Bir Zoo may never see life, thanks to the laxity shown by the zoo authorities in arranging for an incubator for artificial hatching of the jumbo eggs (each weighing about 600 gm).

Two pairs of emu birds acquired by the zoo can be seen strutting around in the enclosure. The birds have failed in hatching the eggs.

Had the authorities taken the initiative in time, the eggs would have been hatched. Only four or five zoos in India are having this species of bird and are breeding them successfully in captivity.

The zoo, authorities had procured the emu pair from Pune in 0ctober 2001. Subsequently three more chicks were bought in 2002. The birds were purchased from Mr Sasusman, a Pune-based bird-dealer.

Sources in the zoo disclosed that the female bird started laying the eggs in March end and completed a clutch of 28 eggs till May. Even after two months, the bird did not hatch the eggs. On the contrary it damaged six of them. In another enclosure, a female emu (single) laid 12 eggs. The bird, refused to hatch the clutch and the zoo authorities had to destroy the eggs, sources revealed.

Sources also added that the zoo authorities were ill equipped and reluctant in acquiring an incubator to hatch the eggs. Had the authorities made sincere efforts in artificial hatching of the emu-eggs, some of the chicks could have been added to the zoo attraction.

The Zoo director, Mr Kuldeep Kumar, admitted that two female emus laid about 34 eggs but they did not hatch them. Besides we were not much keen in artificial hatching, he claimed.

“We contacted authorities of different zoos in the country about the natural and artificial hatching of the bird. None of the zoos in the region have any incubator for artificial hatching of the emu-eggs”, claimed Mr Kumar.

He added that “candle-light” tests were not feasible for the emu-eggs because of the thickness of their egg-shell. To hatch an egg in an incubator, the test is a must which confirms its fertility. Only fertile eggs are hatched artificially, he said.