Zoo animals keep cool even as summer peaks

Bahadurpura: Even as the summer heat peaked in the midst of May, zoo animals are keeping themselves cool, thanks to the suitable arrangements made by Nehru Zoological Park authorities this summer.

As precautionary measures to prevent summer (sun) stroke and summer stress to the zoo wild animals, birds and reptiles are under constant monitoring for health care and protection measures.

According to zoo officials, as part of summer arrangements, sprinklers and small rain guns have been installed at animal enclosures. Foggers (Mist like falling of water) are also installed. Thunga grass is being placed on the roof of cages and enclosures of all animals and birds.

Besides these arrangements, more than 50 air coolers are being arranged in animal enclosures like chimpanzee, monkeys, tigers, jaguars, cheetah, lions and panthers.

AC and exhaust fans are fixed already at Nocturnal Animal House. Summer seasonal fruits like watermelon, muskmelon and citrus variety fruits are being provided to all apes, monkeys, primates, birds and bears.

Glucon-D, Electrol powder, Vitamin-c supplements, B-Complex supplements and Thermocare liquid are dissolved in water and given to the animals/birds to avoid summer stress.

As much as 80% of the enclosures surroundings like windows, ventilators and doors are covered with kashkash thattis and gunny cloths to avoid direct sunlight exposure on the animals. At least 3 to 4 times watering is being done on the kashkash thattis and thunga grass to avoid summer heat.