Rising mercury is of course not good news for many but has brought slightly ‘acche din’ for Tinku, Ramu, Samrat and Durga. .. They are gulping watermelons, cucumbers, citrus fruits besides additional intake in the form of protein rich diet and glucose to beat the heat!
Don’t be zealous about the handful of inmates at wildlife enclosure popularly known as Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park. Their care takers, when contacted, mentioned that the herbivorous animals like elephant ‘Samrat’ are being fed with seasons fruits filled with water.
“We are providing food such as cucumber and watermelon which act as electrolyte to elephants, monkeys and other vegetarians. They were given continuous water supply for bathing and efforts are taken round the clock to protect them from heat,” chief vet of the Zoo Dr Ajay Kumar.
The diet chart is quite different for carnivorous animals like lion, tiger, and leopard. less protein content food such as buffalo meat is being given keeping in mind the seasonal heat. “We have decreased the flesh quantity in the diet of carnivorous animals as large amount of heat is released from their body by eating rich protein content food. Glucose and electro powder is being added in the drinking water to keep their bodies cool in this summer and help them to fight from dehydration,” said Dr Ajay Kumar.
This apart, measures are being taken to keep them cool at their stay as well. To save the animals from excessive heat, the authorities are providing shade to caged animals by using grass thatches over the roof so that direct sunlight could not reach inside their shell.
“Each enclosure has been set up with air coolers and exhaust cooler to keep them away from heat. Sufficient water is provided to dip their body inside the pond to get relief in the ensuing summer month. We have started preparing from the month of April to protect animals from scorching heat. This year four new cooler are provided to animals one month ago,” said Arun Kumar, Range Forest Officer.
He mentioned that tiger, lion, and leopard are being provided with even ACs if the temperature increases abnormally in the summers to protect them from hot air and help the animals stay cool. Notably, temperature in this part of the State capital has crossed 41 degree celsius. Previous year 24 cooler were pressed into action which has gone up by four more this time.