Animals too suffer from sweltering heat, Nehru Zoo prepares for keeping them cool

HYDERABAD: The management of Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, has started summer preparations and precautionary measures in the interest of animal health, care, and protection of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other animals in preparation for the summer season.

Watering on lawns and gardens takes place on a daily basis from the first week of March 2023 to the middle of June 2023 to keep the enclosure and its surroundings green and cool.

More than 200 sprinklers and tiny rain guns were installed in all enclosures, especially those housing herbivores. More than 1,000 doggers were placed in Zoo Park's Reptile House, New Macaws, Pheasantry, and Aviary areas.

The zoo has placed over 1,000 kgs of thunga grass on the roofs of enclosure night homes that were at least 6 inches wide. The zoo has also installed shade curtains around Duck Pond and Stork Pond.

More than 80 air Coolers were arranged in monkeys, Carnivore and Omnivores enclosures.

Air conditioners and exhaust blowers were installed in the Nocturnal Animal home and cub rearing facility. All herbivore enclosures were also equipped with permanent shady shelters. Seasonal fruits such as water melon, musk melon, and citrus varieties are fed to all Apes, Monkeys, Primates, Birds, and Bears to keep them hydrated.

To prevent dehydration, the zoo also provides plenty of protected cold water to all animal houses on a regular basis. To prevent summer stress, Glucon-D, Electral powder, Vitamin-C supplements, B-Complex supplements, stresswell, and thermo care liquid were infused into the water.

Kashkash Thattis is offered in all Animal House enclosures to protect the animals from direct sunlight exposure. To prevent summer stress, the Kashkash thattis and thunga grass are watered at least three to four times per week.

Thunga grass can be found on top of all animal houses, including aviaries and Macaws areas, to prevent summer stress.All Animal Keepers, Head Animal Keepers, and Park Supervisors took preventive measures from time to time to avoid summer stress on the wild creatures, birds, and reptiles, among others.

Prashant Bajirao Patil, Curator, Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, examined all summer seasonal arrangements and told the field staff to continue to keep a continuous vigil on the animals, birds, and reptiles as they had previously.

He also complimented the efforts of the animal keepers, Malis, and workshop workers in the maintenance to overcome the summer-related issues. Following the examinations, he said we would perform Wildlife Education and Awareness programmes for school students very shortly. He also urged wildlife and environment enthusiasts to come up with unique ideas for the animal, forest, and zoo's welfare.