Shuka Vana

 
SHUKA VANA
(Rehabilitation Centre for Birds)
 
 
Shuka Vana aviary houses hundreds of colorful exotic species of parrots, including many critically endangered and endangered species. His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji has taken a serious resolve to rehabilitate injured birds and as a result, Shuka Vana compassionately gives shelter to neglected and abandoned birds.
Founded in 2012 by Sri Swamiji, who embodies compassion, Shuka Vana is named in the honor of Sage Shuka for his significant contributions in imparting righteous values to humanity. Shuka Vana is a specialized rehabilitation center for birds, complete with a dedicated bird hospital. This remarkable free-flight walk-in aviary is home to more than 2,000 vibrant birds representing 486 different species from around the globe.
 
This extraordinary parrot park is part of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham at Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram in Mysuru, India. It functions as a sanctuary for birds that have been abused, injured, or abandoned. The center provides a restored natural habitat for endangered and critically endangered species, allowing them to thrive and reproduce. The aviary’s healthy, safe, and clean environment is instrumental in their protection and conservation.
 
Visitors can observe numerous rare parrot species flying freely within this beautiful enclosure. In this distinctive aviary, one gets the most astonishing opportunity of being in the divine presence of the living, breathing deity that presides over one’s own zodiac sign, and a parrot that represents one’s specific planet and birth date.
 
Sri Swamiji believes that birds play a crucial role in the survival of other species. The decline in bird populations in recent years has raised significant concerns, prompting this initiative. Through Shuka Vana, Swamiji aims to educate, sensitize, and foster a sense of respect and kindness towards avian species among the general public.
 
 
        Shuka Vana has earned the prestigious Guinness World Record for housing the most parrot species in a single aviary
 
How the Birds are taken care of??
Shuka Vana is a haven for thousands of exotic parrots. Sri Swamiji established Shuka Vana most importantly to give shelter for injured and uncared birds with a high degree of commitment and compassion. Sri Swamiji’s mission is to protect and conserve these feathered friends.
 
The parrots are arranged according to their nativity and behavior inside a well- protected two layered meshed aviary. This conservation unit provides a natural and a protective enclosure for the birds, planted with various selected plants and trees. Food stations are provided along with water pots and nest boxes in the enclosure.
 
The parrots are provided with a nutritious, hygienic and a balanced diet. They are fed four times a day; their diet includes fresh fruits like apple, papaya, musk melon, kiwi, mango, banana, pomogranate, and oranges. The vegetables include carrot, beetroot, drum stick, pumpkin, lady’s finger and capsicum. Sprouts include green gram, Chana, green peas, horse gram. Nuts include almonds, walnut, hazelnut and pine nuts seeds and millets and the birds are also given a special hand feeding formula.
 
"Phala shala" is a unit where various processess such as cleaning, cutting of vegetables and fruits, and sprouting of grains are done. They are then weighed and dispatched for the birds. Food quality test and water quality checks are routinely done in the lab. The medicines used for the birds are Avian specific. Shuka Vana supports about 70 care takers including two resident veterinarians (vets), Biochemistry and Genetic technologists, Trained Avian Medical care givers, Care takers, volunteers and cleaners.
 
Shuka Vana has been categorized into several Vanas, in which most importantly, Niri Vana – A Rehabilitation center for birds, gives shelter to injured, handicapped and birds with mental illness. Sri Swamiji has taken a serious resolve to take care of physically challenged birds that are not receiving proper care with their owners.

Pari Vana – Avian Care Unit supports diagnostics and various treatments for birds. A molecular biology lab is equipped with PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) used for gender discrimination and to detect viral and bacterial diseases, supporting the PCR experiment we also have an airfuge, water bath, vortex mixture, electrophoresis unit and gel documentation unit.
 
The Radiology unit consists of an Cathode ray X-Ray machine, Ultra sound scan machine and inhalant anesthesia machine and oxygen concentrator. The Biochemistry lab has a biochemistry analyzer, the Microbiology and a culture lab supporting diagnostics, consists of a bio-safety cabinet, incubator, autoclave, and a binocular microscope.
 
Routine general check–ups are done to monitor the well-being of the birds, as the parrots do not show any symptoms for illness; the parrots are individually examined once every 45 days. If diagnosed with any illness or disease, the birds are isolated and shifted to Sanjeevini vana (quarantine room), treated them by doing respective sensitivity test before medication.
 
Conservation of various species, especially endangered and critically endangered birds, like the Blue- throated macaw, Bolivian military macaw, Lesser-sulphur crested cockatoo, Superb parrot, and Sun conure are undertaken in Shuka Vana. Hyacinth Macaw the largest parrot in the world and Goldie’s lorikeet the smallest parrot in the world are also part of Shuka vana’s family.
 
For bringing awareness and thought process among people regarding these feathered friends, every year, ten different parrot species at Shuka Vana are selected that are into the endangered zone in the wild. The results of this Top 10 Birds list are based on voting by thousands of members of Shuka Vana from across the globe.This is a compassionate step taken by Sri Swamiji towards our fellow species.
 
Apart from the extreme care and compassion showers towards the feathered beauties, Sri Swamiji personally feeds the birds, cajoles and nurture them with a lot of love and affection. The birds inturn show immense love and longing for Sri Swamiji. Some of the birds chant the divine names of God, hymns and

Experience the divine as the delightful Varam, the Double Yellow-headed Amazon from Shuka Vana, chants the first line of the Hanuman Chalisa with devotion. This adorable parrot engages     in cute conversations, uttering various words with charm. A unique and heartwarming video that blends devotion and cuteness, straight from the famous Shuka Vana bird rehabilitation centre!" - https://youtu.be/waPXoqK8Oeo
 
Shuka Vana Timings for Public Visit:
Morning: 10: 00 AM to 12: 30 PM
Evening: 3:30 PM to 5: 30 PM
Holiday: On Every Wednesday
 
 
Note: Shuka Vana is temporarily closed for public due to Maintenance Works