SAMBALPUR: With the district recording over 40 degree Celsius temperature, authorities of the Sambalpur zoo have undertaken a slew of measures to protect animals from heatstroke and dehydration.
As part of the summer prevention measures, all the 28 animal enclosures have been provided with bamboo sheds and thatched roofs to protect animals from the intense heat. Besides, water holes have been created in all the enclosures for animals to wallow and keep themselves cool.
In addition to that, water is sprinkled and showered on the thatched roof sheds throughout the day to keep the enclosures cool. Bird enclosures, meanwhile, have been covered with green nets and thatched bamboo and the newly-created Orchidarium with 101 species and the Rose Garden are regularly watered.
Air-coolers have been placed in front of the bear and leopard enclosures. The zoo officials have this year also started providing large ice slabs in these enclosures to help the animals beat the heat stress during the day.
Keeping in view the blazing heat, food of the animals is also altered during the season. To keep them hydrated, animals are being provided with glucose, ORS, honey and other electrolytes along with water as part of their special summer diet. Fruits with an increased water content like watermelon, sugarcane, cucumber, papaya, grapes and tomato are being fed to the animals in form of salads since March.
Divisional forest officer (DFO), Wildlife, Anshu Pragyan Das said adequate measures have been taken in view of summers. “The veterinary hospital and special rescue centre on the zoo premises are also functional. Even in summer during holidays, the zoo has a footfall of around 1,000 visitors from Sambalpur and nearby districts besides Chhattisgarh,” he said.
Spanning across 13 hectare land, the Sambalpur Zoo and Conservation Centre was established in 1980. Currently, the zoo houses around 350 animals of 18 varieties.
The animals include bear, leopard, blackbuck, chowsingha, hogdeer, sambar, deer, monkey, barking deer, python, mongoose, palm civets, and colourful birds like cockatiel, budgerigar and peacock etc. The blackbucks and hogdeer were added to Sambalpur Zoo last winter. The Orchidarium, Rose garden and Nocturnal House were inaugurated in December last year.
Cooling measures
28 animal enclosures provided with bamboo sheds and thatched roofs
Water is sprinkled and showered on the thatched roof sheds
Air-coolers placed in front of bear, leopard enclosures
Animals provided with glucose, ORS, honey and other electrolytes
Diet includes watermelon, sugarcane, cucumber