Zoological Park, Jamshedpur has made elaborate arrangements for the inmates to beat the summer heat.
As part of seasonal management during summer, various initiatives for the welfare of animals are being undertaken by the management in and around their enclosures.
Some of the initiatives include: drinking water provided in earthen pots and replenished twice a day for birds. The roof of the aviary has been covered with straw to protect the birds from direct heat. Desert coolers and exhaust fans have been installed in bears and large cats and four wall hanging fans installed in Zebra enclosure.
The zoo management has started a new initiative to serve fruits to monkeys and adopting other measures, including installation of desert coolers, wall hanging fans, straw roofs over enclosures of avian friends.
According to Tata Steel Zoological Society secretary Rishad Chinoy, steps have been taken to keep the animals cool. “We have installed desert coolers inside the enclosure of Mandrill, zebra, bear and the big cats – tiger, lion and leopard. Four hanging fans are also there for the comfort of the African equids,” he added.
Moreover, pond is kept full of running water at all times to maintain depth in marsh crocodile and gharial enclosure. Straw and bamboo mats have been provided in Indian Star Tortoise enclosure to ensure shade and to protect from direct sunlight
For animal lovers, refurbishment of visitor shelter and four cold drinking water kiosks. Management is also contemplating introducing ice-cream carts inside the zoo for visitors.
The foundation stone of Tata Zoo was laid in 1990 and its gates were opened for visitors on March, 3 1994. The zoo is nestled inside the Jubilee Park and has two wetlands on either side, the Subarnarekha River in its north and Jayanti Sarovar in south. Both these wetlands are famous for winter migratory birds.
The zoo is spread over an area of 40 hectares with beautifully landscaped gardens interspersed with small forest patches. The prime motto of the zoo during the last two decades of its operation has been to preserve wild flora and fauna and help them propagate in captivity.