|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This narrative concerns wildlife, which was brought to Glenburn. It is about pheasants from the snowline of the eastern Himalayas. A description of a project that appeared impossible. But tea planters are known for their determination and tenacity. They are famous for making the impossible possible. We will know why. The Director of the
Zoological Park, Darjeeling, Dilip Dey, asked the company to launch a
captive breeding programme in Glenburn for pheasants. The blood
pheasant is "endangered" in India's list of wildlife.
Blood pheasants (Ithaginis Cruentus) had not been sighted for a few years in 1974. Ornithologists did not imply that the blood pheasant was extinct. It had become a matter of concern that the blood pheasant was not being observed in it’s natural habitat. Could these pheasants be bred in Glenburn? The long-term policy planned by Dilip Dey was to breed these pheasants and, finally, release them into their natural environment. Of course, the company just had to be receptive to this exciting project. But ominous thoughts assailed them. What if the pheasants died? Glenburn as a location was different and the environment of a tea estate could be alien for the blood pheasant. In their wild state, they are known to burrow into snow in search of nutrients. Glenburn had never experienced snow in history. An assurance was given that an experienced vet would be on call. Preparations for the arrival of the pheasants began. A flight aviary was designed and enclosed by chain-link fencing. The interior was provided with nesting boxes, shrubs and a small fountain. In one corner, there was a thatch-covered platform for shade. The entire design was copied from the British magazine, Country Life. Construction of the
aviary was completed in a fortnight. The pheasants were brought early
one morning. There was a male and two females. They were released into
the flight aviary.
They pecked at a clump of leafy vegetables. Their feed comprised ground maize and gram. They tried the feed too. The vet observed them for an hour. Satisfied, he left and wished the Company luck. The male blood pheasant is brightly coloured and is 45-cm in length. It is streaked in Apple green with a grey mop like crest. Around the eyes is a bright red patch, outlined in black giving the impression of an eye-liner! The chin and throat is crimson appearing like blood stains. The female is rufous brown. In their natural habitat,they feed on moss, ferns, pine shoots and lichens. They move with the snow line. This is indicative of these birds thriving in a cold climate in the sub-alpine zone of the eastern Himalayas. They have been seen in coveys in the undergrowth of conifer forests. The pheasants at Glenburn settled down admirably. They were friendly and almost domestic. Salim Ali described these birds as "tame and confiding". How correct his observation was. The pheasants were in Glenburn for two months when one of the attendants brought the news. There was an egg in one of the boxes. In the next week there were another two. The vet advised the incubation period to be 23 days. On the 25th day, two chicks came into the world. The third egg never hatched. The chicks were brown with wisps of grey. The vet confirmed them to be males. An intake of vitamins began. The two chicks with the mother were scheduled to be taken to the zoological park after a month. Subsequent monitoring was imperative.The episode does not end here. Dilip Dey at one time was a Divisional Forest Officer. He had spent years touring forests in South India. His knowledge of wildlife was amazing. He was inspired by the results at Glenburn. He prepared a map in which he plotted six captive breeding centres in the Darjeeling hills. He would begin with the blood pheasant and then introduce other species. How feasible this is. This plan can be emulated in other areas too. If the authorities can help achieve that one word. A word that eludes us so often. That word is — success.
|
||||
|
|
||||
