Mumbai's Byculla Zoo welcomes rare blackbucks after 6 years, 3 more arriving soon!

Mumbai's Byculla Zoo (Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden) has received three endangered blackbucks from Pune's Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, marking the first edition of the species in six years. The antelopes, famous for their graceful spiral horns and agility, are currently in quarantine to help them acclimate and undergo health checks. Once cleared by veterinarians, the blackbucks will be unveiled to the public.

Blackbucks, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, have become a rare sight in Mumbai after their population at Byculla Zoo declined due to old age. Naturalist Shardul Bijakar noted that earlier, Mumbaikars had to travel to Pune to spot blackbucks, and explained that the juveniles, currently under three years old, would gradually darken to brown or black as they matured.

The zoo last housed over 40 blackbucks in 2018, but eventually all died of natural causes. Their return marks a meaningful addition to the zoo’s wildlife assemblage. Zoo authorities are expecting three more blackbucks soon, though director Sanjay Tripathi noted challenges in acquiring animals through exchanges. He mentioned that they had even offered penguins in exchange but received no interest, adding that such donations were rare.

With footfall dipping from 30.16 lakh in 2023 to 24.16 lakh in 2024, officials hope the new arrivals will help revive public interest. Meanwhile, the BMC is working to expand the zoo by 10 acres, though delays in the tendering process for new enclosures continue to stall progress.