The Hindu : New Delhi News : A touch of warmth at Delhi Zoo

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 11, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

A touch of warmth at Delhi Zoo

Madhur Tankha

COSY CORNER: A Hog Deer takes cover under a temporary shelter provided by Delhi Zoo authorities for animals during the present cold wave. Photo: V.V. Krishnan

NEW DELHI: With an intense cold wave sweeping North India, Delhi Zoo authorities have taken special measures to ensure that the animals and birds remain warm and cosy throughout the season.

To protect the big cats -- lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars -- from the freezing cold, the authorities have put heaters in their cages. The heaters are switched on during the night.

As the floor gets increasingly cold, wooden panels have been placed inside each cell, said a zoo official.

"The big cats are more active during winters. Their appetite also increases. During summers, a big cat consumes 8 to 10 kg of meat. Nowadays they eat about 9 to 11 kg of meat. We also mix vitamin and mineral supplements in their drinking water,'' said the official.

Chimpanzees have been provided warm blankets as they are very intelligent and can wrap themselves up properly at night.

Dry paddy straws have been placed on the floors of cages of the swamp deer, spotted deer, barking deer and sambar. The deer are also being fed the usual mix of "channa'', "makka'' and paddy.

For birds, jute cloth has been placed over the cages. "Jute cloth has been placed as curtain to protect the birds from the cold," said the official.

However, the elephants do not really need any protection.

"Due to their large size, they do not need much protection from the cold. They are being fed a good supply of sugarcane," said the official.

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