DERA GHAZI KHAN: A female bear gave birth to two cubs at the Dera Ghazi Khan Zoo in first-ever captive breeding of the rare Balochistan black bears in the facility.

According to officials, a male black bear freed from illegal possession of some poachers in DG Khan Region of the Punjab Wildlife Department, which was brought to the zoo for protection and care in the light of a court order a few years ago, while a female bear was shifted from Bahawalnagar Wildlife Park to the Zoological Garden, DG Khan.

Under an unusual breeding plan devised by wildlife department, the two black bears were kept together at the zoo, that proved successful, resulting in the birth of two cubs, the official said. They said it was the first incident of bear breeding at the zoo.

The officials said that for the protection of the cubs, the male bear was separated from the female two months before the birth. They said the mother and the cubs were healthy and were being provided good care.

They said the bear breeding in captivity was a reflection of “excellent wildlife management and conservation,” giving its credit to the efficient administration by Wildlife Deputy Director Mohammad Hussain Khan and assistant director/zoo veterinary officer.

Dera Ghazi Khan Zoo has also witnesses successful breeding of various other wild animals and birds facing extinction.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2023