A flock of Alexandria Parakeets that were rescued from smugglers and taken care of by the Zoo authorities being taken to be released at Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakahapatnam on Wednesday. Photo: C.V.Subrahmanyam As many as 175 of the 214 parakeet hatchlings, which gained the ability to fly, were released at the Kambalakonda sanctuary here by the Conservator of Forests A. Bharat Kumar on Wednesday.
It may be recalled that the parakeets, which were just days old, were caught by forest officials while they were being illegally transported about two months ago. The offenders were sent for remand by the Amudalavalasa Court.
The court had ordered that the parakeets should be nourished at the Indira Zoological Park. The baby parakeets were fed on infant food three times a day by the zoo keepers. After a month, they were given fruits and seeds besides amino acids and antibiotics to prevent diseases, according to Zoo Curator G. Ramalingam.
“We sought the permission of the court for their release in the open as they developed the ability to fly. We will keep a watch on them for the next few days as predators like eagles can prey on them. The other parakeets would also be released as and when they gain the strength to fly,” he said.