GUWAHATI: With the mercury level on a rise, the authorities at the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden have taken a slew of measures to enable the animals to cope with the heat and remain safe in the zoo.
The temperature in Guwahati recently increased up to as high as 38 degree Celsius. Informing about the precautions being taken in the zoo, Tejas Mariswamy, Zoo’s Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) said, “This year, the heat is particularly very harsh. In such hot weather, keeping the animals hydrated becomes necessary hence, precautions have been taken. Water showers, bamboo sheds, pools, fans inside the shelter house have been provided for the zoo animals.”
“Some animal species are more sensitive to heat than others. Bears, tigers and other cat species have thick fur and thus, are most affected by the heat. We initially identified these particular species and then planned the measures to be taken,” Mariswamy informed G Plus.
For tigers, shade platforms made of bamboo sheets have been created so that the temperature of the shelter houses is reduced. Two bath pools have also been built and pedestal fans have installed in the shelters for all tigers and lions.
Besides this, for all other species, structures to provide shade have been built and for small birds, wooden boxes have been set up where they can rest in shade. The fencing of water loving animals such as crocodiles and hippos is filled up with water regularly so that they can get into the water during hot weather.
Further, sufficient water mixed with ORS is being given to the animals to keep them hydrated and save them from heat-stroke.
Located in the Hengrabari Reserve Forest area in Guwahati, the Assam State Zoo is home to over 1000 birds and animals belonging to 107 different species. Apart from tigers, lions, beers, monkeys and deer, the zoo houses within its confines some exotic species like hippopotamus, macaw and gaboon wiper (one of the most poisonous snakes in the world) too.
Doctors at the veterinary hospital informed G Plus that there has been no case of animal death due to heat this year. In the previous years, however, there have been cases of animals falling sick during summers, and as a result, developing severe health issues and sometimes, even dying.
Zoo authorities mull developmental plans to catch up with Mysore Zoo by 2020
The authorities at the Assam State Zoo are mulling plans to install deep freezers in the campus to provide the animals with frozen foods like meat.
Infrastructural developments are also being looked into. “The zoo is coming up with a new walk-through aviary and animal enclosures,” said the DFO. He further added that the zoo is looking to acquire more charismatic mammals like giraffe and aims to catch up to the standards of the Mysore Zoo by the end of 2020.
As a new development in the zoo, more toilets and drinking facilities for the visitors have been set up at the zoo premise. The guide facility, which was introduced in February, 2018, has also been receiving positive feedbacks. As a result, the total number of guides is expected to increase in the coming months.
The zoological garden facilitates research activities apart from creating awareness. It also maintains a full-fledged in-house veterinary hospital. The veterinary doctors and animal keepers have been asked by the authorities to keep a tab on the health of all the animals round the clock.
Recently, eight interns were also working at the zoo under the doctors in the veterinary hospital. The interns, students of Cotton University, took part in various activities including watering and bathing animals like elephant. Other recreational activities like cycling and trekking are also frequently organised, garnering great response from the visitors.