Sambalpur: Authorities of Sambalpur Zoo have launched efforts to protect the wild animals from the ensuing heatwave prevailing in the state, a report said.
With temperature often rising to 400 Celsius at Sambalpur, the zoo authorities have intensified their efforts to prevent heatstroke and dehydration among animals. The newly-created botanical garden encircling the zoo with many trees has also supported the zoo environment.
This was stated here by divisional forest officer (DFO) Anshu Pragyan Das of Hirakud Wildlife Division to media here Saturday.
The Sambalpur zoo houses 17 species of animals in 27 enclosures built on its premises. The important animals housed inside the zoo are leopard, bear, chowsingha, sambar, spotted deer and variety of colourful birds like cockatiel, budgerigar and peacock.
All 27 enclosures have been covered with green net and bamboo thatched roofs and sidewalls. The bamboo-thatched roofs are sprayed with water twice a day. Showers are used at carnivorous enclosures and bird enclosures during peak hours of the day.
The size of leopard enclosure has been doubled one month back. Earlier, it was 250 square metre, now it has been expanded to 500 square metre. A cooler has been provided in the resting chamber of the leopard and bamboo mats are used at the roof of the enclosure as cooling shed.
All 17 types of diets served to 330 animals have been modified during summer. Watermelon and cucumber has been added to their daily diet.
Medicines for preventing heat stress are being given to all animals while water availability in all the enclosures is ensured during the daytime. Moreover, glucose along with water is also provided to the animals to keep them hydrated throughout the day.
This apart, veterinary healthcare support for the animals has been strengthened. A special veterinarian has been appointed exclusively for the zoo who will keep a close watch on the health of the animals from this year onwards. Now health checkup of all the animals is done on a daily basis by the veterinarian.
A veterinary hospital has been established inside the zoo with all modern equipment and equipped with an operation theatre where the animals can be provided with critical care facilities during emergency. A special rescue centre has also been established with all rescue equipment for use in emergency.
PNN
