World Wildlife Day 2024

The World Wildlife Day 2024 was celebrated at Nandankanan Zoological Park focusing on the theme for this year i.e., “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”.

The events were designed based on the theme. It started with the Bird Walk which was aimed at using digital innovations while birding. The participants made use of the citizen science apps viz. Merlin & eBird to detect call of birds chirping around the participants and to keep of all the birds sighted during the walk respectively. A total of 20 nature enthusiasts from different parts of Odisha joined the bird walk.

After some refreshment Zoo Volunteers and Zoo Interns were given a demonstration of Camera Trap by Field Biologist, Jyotishankar Mishra where the students interacted and understood how digital gadgets like camera trap helps in detection of animals in wild.

The participants were taken to the zoo laboratory for demonstration of various equipment that help in disease detection, microbial isolation of microbes and molecular analysis of the animal samples. They were shown light microscope, stereomicroscope, RT-PCR, Laminar air flow, and made to understand its working and principle & also how a DNA sequence can be detected with the help of BLAST technique and how to upload in MEGA. The event at the zoo laboratory was coordinated by Research Associate, PranjnashreePriyambada and Laboratory Assistant, SwapnasagarPadhihary.

The participants were also shown around the Zoo Veterinary Hospital and demonstrated the digital facilities available for saving lives of the animals. Dr Vikram T., Veterinary doctor also heading the Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU) at Nandankanan explained the working of the digital medical equipment used in the treatment of animals like mobile X-Ray, ultrasound machine, operation theatre, endoscopy etc.

The participants also got to experience how a transmitter works with live demonstration by Biological Data Manager who has also worked with Gharials for over five years. The transmitter was hidden by one of the participants who was asked to travel a farther distance so the signals in the receiver can show better result. LaxmiprasadRath, Biological Data Manager at Nandankanan interacted with zoo interns and volunteers followed by a live demo.

The training session was followed by interaction with visitors. A signature campaign was conducted near the Interpretation Centre involving visitors of all age groups and in varied languages.

To validate the theme and to spread the message of digital innovation helping in wildlife conservation gadgets like VHF transmitters, camera trap, night vision binoculars, etc. were displayed for the visitors to have an idea how these machines help in varied conservation practices.

A poster displaying the various myths of animal world was displayed for the visitors which also intrigued many visitors. A selfie point with, “I care for wildlife” tag line was kept for visitors.

Badges were distributed for awareness that was liked by many visitors and school kids as well. An on-spot quiz competition with distribution of prizes also helped in spreading awareness on wildlife conservation.