Zoo prepares to protect animals

The Delhi Zoo is stepping up arrangements for the open enclosures of animals after Delhi received rainfall on Sunday.

Even though animals were diverted towards shelter spaces in the zoo campus, their “warm beds” of chaff are now wet due to the lack of preparedness for the rain.

The most affected by the rain are the deer and the giraffe in the open enclosures.“The animals in the open enclosures suffered before they went inside the covered shelter space. The warm beds of chaff which we prepared for the animals for the winter are now wet following the rain. On Monday morning, the chaff beds will be changed so that the animals are not exposed to the cold. We will need to routinely change the beds if it continues to rain,” said Riaz Ahmed Khan, Curator, Delhi Zoo.

Even though there was rainfall, people visited the zoo in large numbers, added Khan. There will also be a change in diet necessary for these animals.

“Deer will be given kacha amla in this season to be able to protect itself from the cold,” said Khan.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Zoo has put in place arrangements for other animals to cope with in the winter.

For animals like lions, tigers, jaguars, heaters have been installed in their cages.“Heaters, wooden platforms which act as insulators, high-voltage bulbs and other comforters are in place for animals like chimpanzees, lions, tigers and jaguars to cope with the fall in temperature. There also has been a change in diet with lions and tigers being given two kilo of meat more than usual,” said Khan.

True migratory birds  

“The other attractions for visitors in zoo are the true migratory birds. With over 1,000 migratory birds on the zoo campus already, this has turned to be the major attraction for visitors. This includes Coot and Mallards among seven other varieties,” said Khan.