Animals at Delhi zoo to get fruit ice cubes, water sprinklers to beat the heat

New Delhi: Animals at the Delhi zoo will get a cool treat--fruit ice cubes--while water sprinklers will be installed for tigers, lions, leopards, and jackals to help them beat the heat during the summer season.

From April 1, all 'summer action plan' measures will be implemented to provide the animals with comfort during the heat, Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar said.

From air coolers in enclosures and frequent water showers to shaded resting areas and running water in pools, the zoo will take various measures to keep the animals comfortable this summer.

The National Zoological Park will roll out a series of summer care measures to ensure the well-being of animals, Kumar said.

Kumar added that the Delhi zoo has devised a structured plan for different animal species, ensuring their comfort during the peak summer months.

The measures include continuous running water in pools for carnivores, herbivores, and reptiles, along with sprinklers and shaded areas to prevent overheating.

In carnivore enclosures, water pools will be kept filled and shaded, while sprinklers will be installed for tigers, lions, leopards, and jackals. The zoo will also set up water coolers in holding cells and adjust the animals' diet to lighter, summer-friendly meals.

Herbivores, including sambar deer, nilgai, blackbucks, and elephants, will receive frequent showers. Similarly, rhinos will be bathed twice daily to keep them cool.

On Thursday, the capital recorded its hottest day in March in the last three years, with the mercury reaching 38.9 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.

For primates, air coolers have been placed in their enclosures, and special fruit ice balls are being prepared daily to provide them hydration and nutrition.

Reptile enclosures are also being kept cool with shaded areas and wet gunny bags for snakes, officials said.

Meanwhile, bird enclosures are being equipped with side-wall curtains, water sprinklers, and larger earthen pots to ensure a steady supply of cool drinking water. Emus and ostriches are getting regular baths, and delicate species like pheasants have been provided with gunny bags that are kept damp to maintain a cooler environment.

Bears, which are highly sensitive to heat, will be kept in shaded feeding cells during extreme temperatures, with large ice blocks provided for relief. Their moats are cleaned and refilled daily, and they are also given fruit ice cubes to help them stay hydrated.

Apart from these species-specific measures, the zoo has installed thermometers in key enclosures to monitor temperature fluctuations.

Seasonal fruits like watermelon, cucumber, and coconut water have been incorporated into the diets of primates, bears, and herbivores to provide extra hydration.

"As temperatures continue to rise, our priority is to keep the animals comfortable and safe. We have deployed additional measures this year to ensure they are well-hydrated and protected from the heat," said a senior zoo official.

Zoo staff have been instructed to remain extra vigilant during peak hours and immediately report any signs of distress among the animals to the veterinary hospital, Kumar added.