With the mercury soaring in the national Capital, the Delhi zoo authorities have made special arrangements to keep the animals and birds cool in the hot summer. Desert coolers, fans and thatched sheets are being put up at all animal enclosures in the National Zoological Park, which is home to around 110 different species.
“At first, we are in the process of installing coolers which will be run all day long inside enclosures of animals, including tigers, jaguars, lions and elephants, and birds. This will help ensure air circulation,” said zoo veterinary official N Panneer Selvam. Other than that, significant changes in diet and fluid intake of animals and birds are also being made.
Increased intake of glucose, electrolyte fluids, vitamin C and fruit-rich diet are important to restore electrolyte balance, zoo officials said. According to Selvam, herbivores such as deers, buffaloes and chinkaras will be given fruits like cucumber, watermelon which are rich in vitamins. Other than that, rice kheer will replace bread in the daily diet. Among the carnivores, including the big cats, meat intake has been reduced by a few kilograms while water intake has been doubled for all animals.
The officials say that as the day temperature is hovering close to 40°C, animals are more prone to diarrhoea and heat stroke. “Our veterinarians are conducting regular check-ups to detect illness at an early stage,” said Selvam. Until last year, the Delhi zoo did not have temporary wallowing pools inside enclosures of big animals such as hippopotamus, elephants and buffaloes.
However, this year the authorities have constructed both kuccha and pucca ponds meant for animal bath to keep them cool at least twice a day. “There is also a provision of dust bath inside enclosures of many animals,” said Riaz Khan, zoo curator (education).
Special arrangements have also been put in place for winged inmates of the zoo. “Seasonal fruits have been included in their diet. Enclosures will be sprinkled with water every day for temperature regulation,” said the zoo curator. Renovation work which is going on in the zoo has further broadened the scope for the authorities to help the animals cope with heat as new sheds are being constructed in some enclosures.
With more saplings being planted to keep zoo environs cool, the authorities are hoping to minimise cases of illness among animals and birds. Recently, under the inter-zoo exchange programme, a pair of ostrich was brought in from Thiruvanthapuram zoo. Special arrangements are already in place for them. “For new (zoo) inmates, the most important aspect is providing sufficient space. For ostrich, increasing water intake is one of the most important aspects,” said Selvam. During summers, number of visitors increases in the National Zoological Park which currently houses 1,556 animals and birds.