With an aim to study physiology and artificial incubations of flightless birds, The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) has started research center.
Flightless birds like Ostrich, Rhea, and Emu will be studied closely in the center. The center located at Pookode in Wayanad District is the first flightless bird research center in the state.
Ostrich and other such flightless birds are transported from different parts of the country to the center. The center procured Ostrich chicks from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, and also procured 10 emus. KVASU is planning to bring 10 rhea birds from Trivandrum Zoo. Study of Flightless birds are compelling, they have lost their ability to fly in the course of evolution and, the largest flightless bird is Ostrich. It produces the largest egg. Flightless birds have smaller wing bones as compared to flying birds.