The Chhatbir Zoo authorities have adopted several innovative methods to save the wild animals from cold wave conditions in the northern region.
Special attention is being paid towards newborn cubs of lion and white tigers besides 17 Gavial (Gharials). “We have seven cubs of lion and tigers besides 17 two-year-old Gavial (Gharials) in ICU here. Both big cats and cold blooded reptiles are highly sensitive animals, hence we are paying special attention to them in this winter season,” said Manish Kumar, field director of the Zoo. “Due to snow on the high altitude mountains and gradually increasing fog and cold in the lower belt, including Chandigarh and its surrounding areas, we have already intensified our winter management here,” he said.
For all-big and small animals besides all types of birds, the enclosure has been covered with polythene sheets and the number of heat blowers increased to maintain warmth during winter season. “Special shelters with mats and thatched roofs have already been constructed for the deer and ducks, monkeys’ enclosures here,” the Field Director of the Zoo said. For small Gharials, a special enclosure has been made of multi-layered room at the zoo hospital, which maintains room temperature at 20 to 25 degree celsius all the time, said the Zoo official.
Vitamins and minerals too are being included in the daily diet or food of these animals and birds to help them cope with the harsh winters. “Special jagery in more quantity is being provided to deer and elephants. Bears, elephants, hippos and monkeys are being given papaya instead of banana, which keeps them warm besides sugarcane to elephants and honey to chimpanzees and calcium to the young animals to help them cope with stress during winter season”, added Kumar.
He said all the cold blooded reptiles, including snakes, pythons, lizards and crocodiles, have gone into hibernation during winters and the ‘Reptile house’ has been closed for public till February 2015. “We have covered the entire reptile house with thick jute made sheets besides setting up heat convectors in their enclosures to make the temperature according to their suitability”, said Kumar. MC Zoological Park, Chhatbir zoo has more than 1100 animals, including several endangered species. For round the clock observation, night vision CCTV cameras with recording facility have been installed in the animal house so that animals can be observed without any disturbance to them.