Delhi Zoo seeks a companion for Jatayu, its lone Egyptian vulture

Jatayu, Delhi Zoo’s lone Egyptian vulture, may finally get company after more than 20 years alone. The National Zoological Park is in discussions with two zoos in other states about finding a suitable mate for the ageing bird.

Jatayu was rescued after migrating to Delhi and has remained the zoo’s only Egyptian vulture since other birds in its enclosure died because of age and health-related issues. Any new bird would need to arrive through an approved animal-exchange programme or as a gift; it cannot simply be brought in from another facility.

Zoo officials were also scheduled to visit the vulture breeding and conservation centre at Pinjore, Haryana, to learn about its breeding and conservation work.

The search extends beyond Jatayu. The zoo is looking for companions for animals from 16 species represented by single animals or same-sex groups. These include two male ostriches brought from Chhatbir Zoo in 2021, a nine-year-old female rhea that arrived in 2018, and a male barn owl alone since 2022. Officials are also seeking a male rhinoceros for an 18-year-old female after her previous mate died in 2025.