Bhubaneswar: In a significant breakthrough, Nandankanan Zoological Park on Wednesday announced the birth of five blue iguana hatchlings in its reptile garden.
This marks the first successful breeding of the species at the park in over 30 years.
With these new arrivals, the park’s blue iguana population has increased to 17, comprising six males, six females, and five newborns whose genders are yet to be determined.
Earlier, the park housed only two adult male blue iguanas and breeding efforts were hindered by inbreeding challenges. To overcome this, the park undertook measures to diversify the gene pool and enhance the species’ chances of survival.
On August 26, 2024, eight blue iguanas—four males and four females—were transferred from Alipore Zoo in Kolkata, followed by the arrival of two female iguanas from Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad, on November 25, 2024. These additions have been instrumental in reducing the risks associated with inbreeding.
Recently, one of the female iguanas laid eggs and five healthy hatchlings have now emerged. While one hatchling fell seriously ill and two others showed signs of weakness, they have been quarantined and are receiving specialized care at the park’s veterinary center.
