SAMBALPUR: With temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in the district, authorities of Sambalpur Zoo have intensified their efforts to protect animals from the sweltering heat and prevent cases of heatstroke and dehydration.
Sambalpur district has been consistently experiencing temperatures ranging between 38°C and 42°C since the past few days, prompting the zoo authorities to implement a robust summer action plan. Designed to ensure the well-being of 350 animals across 26 enclosures and 17 species, the plan includes a variety of cooling strategies and dietary interventions.
To help animals beat the heat, water pools and sprinklers have been installed in all the enclosures. These not only help regulate body temperatures but also provide hydration and relief. Similarly, the roofs of enclosures have been covered with paddy straw to act as natural insulation, while water spraying is conducted regularly from 11 am to 3 pm to cool the animal sheds.
Additionally, air coolers and air conditioners have been installed in the enclosures of heat-sensitive species like sloth bears and leopards, as well as in the Nocturnal House. Ice slabs are placed in the enclosures of these carnivores during peak afternoon hours, and sloth bears are kept in their feeding cells during the hottest part of the day to reduce exposure to direct heat.
The zoo has also revamped its dietary offerings to include high-moisture, cooling foods such as curd, honey, watermelon, cucumber, and sugarcane juice. These additions help keep the animals hydrated and energetic during the summer.
Moreover, bird enclosures have been fortified with bamboo sheds to offer shade and protection from the sun. To further enhance animal care, vitamin and mineral supplements along with electrolyte powders are being administered to maintain hydration and boost immunity.
Divisional forest officer (wildlife) Anshu Pragyan Das said adequate measures have been put in place for the zoo animals in view of the scorching summer months. On an average, the zoo is witnessing around 1,000 visitors daily from Sambalpur and nearby districts besides Chhattisgarh during the summer holidays.
Established in 1980, the Sambalpur Zoo and Conservation Centre is spread over 13 hectare of land.