20 years single, Jatayu, lone Egyptian vulture, may finally get a mate at Delhi Zoo

The Delhi Zoo is in talks with two zoos in other states to find a mate for Jatayu, its lone Egyptian vulture that has spent more than 20 years without a partner. Officials said the effort is still at a preliminary stage, but it could finally give the ageing bird company through a formal transfer, exchange or gift arrangement.

Jatayu was rescued after migrating to Delhi and was brought to the National Zoological Park more than two decades ago. Since then, it has remained the only Egyptian vulture at the zoo after the others died because of age and health-related issues. The search for a partner is part of a wider exercise by the zoo to pair lone animals and same-sex groups, and to bring in fresh genetic bloodlines.

A Delhi Zoo official told PTI that discussions are underway, but the institutions involved have not been named yet. "Talks are on with two zoos for the pairing," he said, adding that details would be shared only after the proposed transfer or exchange is formally worked out.

The official said the zoo is also looking at conservation facilities in Pinjore, Haryana, where its officials are scheduled to visit on September 6 to study the ongoing vulture breeding and conservation programme. The vulture breeding and conservation centre at Pinjore works on conservation breeding of critically endangered Gyps vultures and has also run programmes to release captive-bred birds into the wild. The facility is jointly run by the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society.

Egyptian vultures usually begin breeding at around four to five years of age and form long-term pair bonds. They typically lay one egg in a breeding season, with both parents involved in incubation and raising the chick. The species can live for around 25 years in the wild and potentially longer in captivity, which means individuals can remain reproductively active for several years.

The official said birds and other animals cannot simply be brought to the zoo from such facilities, and have to be acquired through established routes such as animal exchange programmes or gifts. Any vulture brought to Delhi would therefore have to come through one of these approved arrangements.

Jatayu is one of 16 species at the National Zoological Park that are represented either by lone individuals or same-sex groups. As part of its efforts to improve breeding and introduce fresh bloodlines, the zoo is trying to find partners for animals that have remained without mates for years.

The zoo's two male ostriches, both about seven to eight years old, have had no female partners since they were brought from Chhatbir Zoo in 2021. A nine-year-old female rhea has also remained without a mate since arriving at the zoo in 2018, according to an official. The zoo is also seeking a female partner for a male barn owl that has been alone since 2022. Other animals for which partners are being sought include a male Indian grey hornbill, grey langur, small Indian civet and black swan, the official said.

He said an 18-year-old female rhinoceros is another such case. She was briefly paired with a male brought to Delhi in 2024, but the male died in 2025. The zoo is now looking for another male for her. Its black bear group also now consists of four females after the death of a male in 2024.

Zoo officials have said several animal exchange proposals are at different stages of discussion with zoos in many states. The immediate focus is on pairing single-sex animals while also introducing fresh genetic bloodlines into the zoo's collection.

This effort is running alongside a broader plan to expand the zoo's collection. Under a proposed modernisation plan, the National Zoological Park has identified 109 new species and 2,943 animals for acquisition, which would take its planned collection to 201 species. The proposed additions include cheetahs, New World monkeys, mouse deer and butterflies, along with other mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Mouse deer are also proposed to be brought back to the zoo after nearly three decades, with animals expected to be sourced mainly through exchanges with other zoos.

The expansion plan follows a decline in the zoo's collection from 99 species three years ago to 92 species now, with about 1,255 animals. Over the years, several species, including chimpanzees, giraffes and zebras, have disappeared from the collection, while African elephants are also absent. The modernisation proposal includes new and upgraded enclosures, habitat-based zoning, rejuvenation of water bodies, improved veterinary facilities, a dedicated rescue and rehabilitation centre, biodiversity trails and specialised facilities for different groups of animals.

For now, the immediate priority is to find a companion for Jatayu. If the talks with the two zoos lead to a suitable exchange or gift, the lone Egyptian vulture at Delhi Zoo could finally be paired after more than two decades on its own.