Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad has made extensive arrangements to ensure the well-being of its animals during the scorching summer season. The zoo officials have taken several measures to keep the animals cool and hydrated. The roofs of night houses, aviaries, and macaws animal houses have been covered with more than 1000 kg of thunga grass, which is at least 6 inches broad. Temporary shade shelters have also been arranged for all herbivore enclosures.
The lawns and gardens of the zoo are being continuously watered to keep the enclosure and its surrounding areas green and cool. More than 200 sprinklers and small rain guns have been fixed in all enclosures, particularly in herbivores’ enclosures. The zoo management has also arranged over 1000 foggers at the reptile house, new macaws, and all pheasantry and aviary areas. Additionally, 80 air-coolers have been installed in the monkeys, carnivores, and omnivores’ enclosures. Air-conditioners and exhaust fans have been fixed in the nocturnal animal house and cub-rearing center.
To prevent dehydration and summer stress in animals, sufficient amounts of cold water along with Glucon–D, Vitamin–C and B-complex supplements, stress well and thermo care liquids are being offered from time to time. Other measures to provide cooling to animals include providing shade net to the duck pond and stork pond area, providing ‘kashkash thattis’ to all enclosures, and supplying seasonal fruits such as watermelon, muskmelon, and citrus variety fruits to apes, monkeys, primates, birds, and bears.
Curator Prashant Bajirao Patil has inspected the summer seasonal arrangements and instructed the field staff to keep a constant vigil on all the zoo animals. Overall, Nehru Zoological Park has taken all necessary steps to ensure the animals are comfortable and healthy during the hot summer months.
