Patna zoo administration gears up to battle intense heat

By:
Shushwi Shekhar
PATNA: With the mercury hovering around 42 degrees Celsius, authorities at the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, popularly known as Patna zoo, are taking several measures to keep the inmates cool.
Apart from installing fans and coolers in enclosures of different birds and animals, the zoo administration has also made arrangements special diet and and medicines.Sufficient water is being provided to the inmates to keep them hydrated. "We're providing water mixed with glucose, coconut water, honey etc to the animals to protect them from heat stroke. Homeopathic medicine is also being administered to birds to keep them safe from summer diseases," said range officer Anand Kumar.
According to a press statement issued by the zoo administration, altogether 20 fans and 15 coolers have been installed at the night shelters of tiger, leopard, chimpanzees and small cats. Besides, curtains too have been hanged in the cage of chimpanzees to decrease the intensity of heat wave.
It further stated that earthen pots filled with water have been kept in the enclosures of birds. Water fountains too have been made functional for emu and ostriches, apart from water shower in elephants' enclosures to keep the surface wet and cool. Sprinklers are also being used to keep pheasants and small birds comfortable in this scorching heat. For snakes, zoo staff make the ground in their enclosure wet, so that their skin does not develop heat rashes.
Also, running water flow system has been facilitated for crocodiles and hippopotamus to keep the water cool. Jute mats have been hanged in the deer enclosure to provide shade. Besides, mud bath dugs have been provided for species like deer and sambar. Huts made of straws and have been prepared for apes to keep their surrounding cooler during the night. "We have received strict instructions to sprinkle water in the evening to keep the enclosures cool so that apes can get a sound sleep", said a caretaker of one the animal enclosures at the zoo. Dietary modification has also been done by the veterinarians. For instance, fruits like watermelons, cucumbers, grapes and bananas are being provided to herbivores.
"Enough water is being given to carnivore animals as well as their food intake too has been reduced during this peak summer season," said a zoo official.