Animals cross breed at Entebbe zoo
IT is uncommon for different species to breed. But Oyet, a male sitatunga and Binty, a female bush buck, residents of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo), have produced four off-spring.
By Gerald Tenywa
IT is uncommon for different species to breed. But Oyet, a male sitatunga and Binty, a female bush buck, residents of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo), have produced four off-spring.
Dr. David Hyeroba, a veterinary doctor at the centre, said the cause might have been the proximity and absence of mates of the same species.
Binty Junior, one of the three hybrids, was born last month. This was the second surprise after Oyet mated with one of his three ‘daughters’ produced by Binty from the bizarre union.
The hybrids look much like bush bucks and scientists under the US-based International Species Information system, baptised them “bush buck hybrids.’’
“However, the offspring of the cross sitatunga and the bush buck was supposed to be sterile. It is surprising that one of the offspring was able to mate with her father to produce an offspring,’’ Hyeroba said.
Makerere University head of zoology department Robert Kityo said they were stunned by an offspring from parents of different species that has defied science to produce a baby.
The centre’s veterinary doctors have subsequently separated Oyet from the bush bucks to avoid further breeding.
When The New Vision visited yesterday, Binty Junior was grazing with the other offspring.
They run across the enclosure in an attempt to avoid human intrusion.
Kityo led a team from Nature Uganda on a tour of the centre.
Oyet is estimated to be three years old. He was rescued and brought to the centre about three years ago. He was hand raised at the centre and was eventually integrated with other animals in the enclosures.
Binty who was rescued from Mukono joined the centre in August 2001. Binty was also hand raised.
The animals are kept in large enclosures that depict the different ecological systems in the protected areas across the country. One of the enclosures where Oyet and Binty live represents Queen Elizabeth National Park.
IT is uncommon for different species to breed. But Oyet, a male sitatunga and Binty, a female bush buck, residents of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo), have produced four off-spring.
Dr. David Hyeroba, a veterinary doctor at the centre, said the cause might have been the proximity and absence of mates of the same species.
Binty Junior, one of the three hybrids, was born last month. This was the second surprise after Oyet mated with one of his three ‘daughters’ produced by Binty from the bizarre union.
The hybrids look much like bush bucks and scientists under the US-based International Species Information system, baptised them “bush buck hybrids.’’
“However, the offspring of the cross sitatunga and the bush buck was supposed to be sterile. It is surprising that one of the offspring was able to mate with her father to produce an offspring,’’ Hyeroba said.
Makerere University head of zoology department Robert Kityo said they were stunned by an offspring from parents of different species that has defied science to produce a baby.
The centre’s veterinary doctors have subsequently separated Oyet from the bush bucks to avoid further breeding.
When The New Vision visited yesterday, Binty Junior was grazing with the other offspring.
They run across the enclosure in an attempt to avoid human intrusion.
Kityo led a team from Nature Uganda on a tour of the centre.
Oyet is estimated to be three years old. He was rescued and brought to the centre about three years ago. He was hand raised at the centre and was eventually integrated with other animals in the enclosures.
Binty who was rescued from Mukono joined the centre in August 2001. Binty was also hand raised.
The animals are kept in large enclosures that depict the different ecological systems in the protected areas across the country. One of the enclosures where Oyet and Binty live represents Queen Elizabeth National Park.