The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Summer is special for zoo animals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 19, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Summer is special for zoo animals

P. Oppili

There are sprinklers, air-conditioners to help them cool off Chimpanzees are the luckiest lot for they have been provided with a shower inside their enclosures

SUMMER SHOWER: Giraffes at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park being sprayed with water. — Photo: A. Muralitharan

CHENNAI: Summer is always a special season for wildlife in captivity. For, this is the period when the animals get adequate water supply, special food and what not. Unlike those in the wild, the animals at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), Vandalur, get special attention during the scorching days of May.

Luckiest lot

Zoo authorities say that all primates are given adequate water supply. And the chimpanzees are the luckiest lot for, they have been provided with a shower inside their enclosures. Their day begins with a bath around 9.30 a.m. before being released into the exhibit area. Every two hours water is sprayed on the chimpanzees through a pipe. We will also provide them lassi and watermelon pieces, says K.P.M. Perrumahl, Chief Conservator of Forests and Zoo Director.

And the zebras and giraffes are no exception.

In their enclosures, sprinklers have been provided, says zoo Vet K. Senthilkumar.

Bird enclosures

For the bird enclosures a different method is adopted to reduce the heat, says Dr. Senthilkumar. Gunny bags are tied around the enclosures and water is sprayed on the bags at regular intervals. This helps in keeping the temperature down.

The copious rains last year have ensured availability of adequate water, say the officials.

For the carnivores — lion, tiger, panther and wild dogs — a trough has been created in their enclosures and water is filled in it.

Mostly the tigers spend a sizeable amount of time there before coming to the exhibit area, say the officials.

The elephants — Vikram, Indra and the calf Chellamma — are also provided with adequate waterduring the scorching summer days, zoo authorities say.

King Cobras have been provided with air conditioners.

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