India, July 15 -- A Rosy Pelican spreads its broad wings during flight at Delhi Zoo.

The species, known for its impressive wingspan and dependence on healthy wetlands, symbolises the importance of conserving aquatic ecosystems.

Because they require vast, undisturbed shallow waters for feeding and communal nesting, these birds act as an 'umbrella' or 'indicator' species; protecting their habitats benefits countless other waterbirds like cormorants, herons, and ibises.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Down to Earth....