4 min readNew DelhiMay 31, 2024 08:14 AM IST
First published on: May 31, 2024 at 05:00 AM IST
By Sophiya Mathew
A mahout splashes water on Hiraraj, the male elephant; a few meters away, in another enclosure, a deer stands close to a sprinkler; in a third enclosure, a pair of hippopotamuses immerse themselves in a pond.
The summer this time has been particularly harsh on all, and the inmates inside the National Zoological Park, popular as Delhi zoo, are no exception.
To ensure the well being of the animals, zoo officials have put in place a summer care management plan for its 1,300 animals.
Said Dr Abhijit Bhawal, a veterinary official: “All animals are targeted according to their species. In the summer, animals are most active and need enrichment.” The zoo is providing the animals with fruit ice balls to keep them hydrated. Said Dr Bhawal: “Primates and bears are most prone to the heatwave and resultant dehydration. In summer, animals get dehydrated and may go into a shock, stress-like condition which may lead to death.”
A tiger being sprayed with water at the zoo on Thursday. (Amit Mehra)
On the dietary measures for carnivores, he said: “We reduce the quantity of food and increase the water intake to make the food lighter to suit their metabolic needs.”
Highlighting the role that diet plays, Bhawal said: “One of the main purposes of enrichment is to maintain the balance of mind. The body has to remain calm. Humans can rush to trees and shades. But for zoo animals, it is crucial to make these arrangements.”
According to Dr Sanjeet Kumar, director of the National Zoological Society: “Different animals have different needs, such as ponds and wet mud, and we are ensuring them that. Washing the animals twice or thrice a day has been made mandatory.”
Dealing with injuries is another challenge that officials have to look out for as infighting increases during the summer, said officials. “Animals are prone to stomach upsets, shocks and injuries in this weather,” added Dr Bhawal. The zoo authorities are in the process of setting up wall thermometers in all enclosures to record the temperatures.
The staff remains particularly vigilant in the peak hours — 12 pm to 2 pm — to inform the zoo hospital about emergencies. Besides, the animals are released in the fenced open area in alternative shifts to reduce heat stress. “In the case of two animals, one is released in the exhibit from 6 am to 12 pm, while the other is out from 12pm to 5 pm,” said an official.
Other measures include installing desert coolers that run round-the-clock, and repairing pools and ensuring fresh water in them on alternate days.
Meanwhile, the zoo continues to teem with visitors who, donning caps and scarves and holding umbrellas, arrive in good numbers. To ensure their safety and convenience, kiosks have been set up with packaged drinking water, cold drinks, ice cream, and other hydrating food products; and first aid, ORS, glucose etc to deal with emergencies.
An elephant being sprayed with water at the zoo on Thursday. (Amit Mehra)
A tiger being sprayed with water at the zoo on Thursday. (Amit Mehra)
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