With the dipping mercury the menu at Jawaharlal Nehru Biological Park (JNB) in Bokaro Steel City has taken an organic turn. The authorities are at their wits’ end to provide warmth to the zoo inmates and finding hard as the increasing cold waves and fog pronounce tough days ahead.
The authorities are trying from laying bed made of grass to jute curtains and complete change in diet to arranging heaters for a selected few to keep the birds and animals warm.
The diet chart of the carnivore animals has undergone a sea change to keep their body warmer and stronger to fight diseases of the winter. “Milk and eggs along with meat are made available for them to retain energy for a longer period,” a zoo official said.
The animals at the park include tiger, lions, spotted dear, leopard spotted deer, sambhar, black buck, hippopotamus, hyena, monkeys, peacock, civets, reptiles among other dozens of varieties of beautiful birds. Most inmates including birds and rabbits are provided with curtains made of jute for warmth and cosy nests. Heaters would also be fixed close to the cages of birds. They are getting meals three times a day in winter. Their food includes chopped spinach, wheat chappatis and fresh seasonal fruits, said an official.
“Special care has been given to the birds as for most of them winter is their mating season”, he added. The authorities have also planned bonfires to keep the animals warm with the further dip in the temperature. Also for water animals and birds, including ducks, flamingos, crocodiles and ghariyals, they are given sumptuous meals of fresh fish which is rich in proteins and fats so as to beat the chill.
The zoo, which is maintained by Bokaro steel plant, is the only place where one can come and study a lot about nature, plants and animals within two hours of visit.