With the mercury soaring, Delhi zoo will install water sprinklers, desert coolers and fans to help the inmates beat the heat.
“As part of the zoo’s summer plans, water sprinklers, fans and coolers have been installed in the animal enclosures. Ponds are being filled with water. Pressure pumps are being used to bathe big animals like elephants, tigers and lions,” Riyaz Khan, zoo curator said.
He said the meat intake of carnivorous animals like tigers, panthers, jaguars and lions is reduced by 1-2 kg during summer.
“Altering the food plan is also part of the summer action. For instance, seasonal fruits are given to protect the inmates from infection. Climbers are included in the diet of bears and monkeys,” Khan said.
Apart from the above measures, the animals are also given vitamin supplements or electro powder to beat dehydration. Nets are used on the roofs of the enclosures to prevent them from harmful UV rays. Wooden platforms are also removed from the enclosures.
“As part of the summer leisure activities of animals, elephants take their dust baths and rhinoceros spend most of their time in the swimming pool at this time of the year,” the official said.
Talking about the impact of extreme weather on the breeding pattern of certain animals, Khan said the flightless Australian bird ‘Emu’ recently gave birth to six chicks after an incubation period of 50-52 days.
“Emus generally take 68 days to lay eggs in the Indian climate. But due to the heat and a weak monsoon in the city, they took less time. In their native country, the incubation period is around 45 days. Interestingly, male emus do the incubation,” he said.
[Source:- Business Standard]
