SAMBALPUR: Elaborate arrangements have been made at the Wild Animal Conservation Centre or Deer Park in Sambalpur to protect the animals from the rising temperature.
Straw has been placed over the roof of the sheds, while sacks and green nets are being used to protect the animal from the heat. Authorities are also planning to sprinkle water on the enclosures to make the animals feel cool.
Special attention is also being paid on the diet of the animals. “Watermelon, sugarcane and papaya are being served to the herbivorous animals and oral re-hydration solution are being administered to the animals and birds,” said range officer of the centre, Madan Lal Sharma.
He said as the wild animals are also vulnerable to heat, they need special care during summer, particularly the birds.
Sharma said in a couple of days they would also start sprinkling water to make the animals feel cool. The concrete floors of the enclosures will also be washed twice daily when the temperature reaches its peak.
Timing of the centre has also been changed; it is now open from 8 am to noon and 4 pm to 6.30 pm. The centre, which was established in 1980, houses around 246 animals and birds of 22 species.
Animals including spotted deer, four-horned antelope, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, monkey, civet cat, python, peacock, parakeet, moorhen, duck, spotted dove and a number of exotic birds are present in the centre, which spreads over an area of 13.16 hectares.
The wild animal conservation centre is a major attraction of the city and attracts thousands of visitors every year.