The Hindu : National : Delhi Zoo gears up to face summer blues

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Saturday, Apr 02, 2011
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National

Delhi Zoo gears up to face summer blues

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Zoo is gearing up to face the harsh summer months ahead.

To tackle the extreme heat, the authorities are making special arrangements to make life comfortable for its 1,300-odd species of birds and animals.

“As a primary step, the sheets used for covering the enclosures to protect the inmates from the cold winds during the winter months will be removed. Fans and coolers will be installed for the big cats in mid-April to ensure maximum air circulation” says the zoo veterinary official N. Panneer Selvam.

According to Dr. Selvam, the animals will be given glucose and electrol fluids to restore their electrolyte balance. Multivitamins supplements will be added to their diet. The herbivores will be put on a diet rich in carbohydrates and fruits like cucumber, papaya and watermelon. The meat intake of flesh eating animals would be reduced by two kilograms, he adds.

The zoo authorities said wallowing pools in most animal enclosures have been improved. Animals submerge themselves in water to keep themselves cool when the heat becomes unbearable. This is especially true of big animals like the elephant, hippopotamus and cape buffalo. The moats have also been cleaned and the debris removed. The bird enclosures will be sprinkled with water daily and special thatching provided for the roofs. Temperatures in the Capital can touch a scorching 46 degrees Celsius during the summer months, making life very uncomfortable for the animals.

The zoo is also planning new enclosures and infrastructure. The existing cages will be removed to make way for open enclosures. “The master plan has been sent to the Central Zoo Authority. The Delhi Zoo is the first one in the country to come up with open areas for animals. Work will start as soon as the plan gets approved” says Dr. Selvam.

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