Special diet plans to sprinklers, Delhi's National Zoological Park steps up animal care amid increasing heat
May 30, 2024
New Delhi [India], May 30 : As Delhi continues to swelter under an intense heat wave, the National Zoological Park has stepped up its animal care efforts with diet adjustments that include serving seasonal fruits and cold water and installation of sprinklers and coolers among others.
"The park is fully ready to tackle the heatwave to save our animals as well as the visitors who come to visit the zoo...We have stopped all the winter diet schedules which contain more fat and some ingredients that make them warm. Now, we have shifted to a summer management diet, which includes a more liquid diet as well as all the seasonal fruits and vegetables that contain more water. We are giving cold water to the animals to drink," Sanjeet Kumar, Director of the National Zoological Park told ANI.
Speaking about the measures taken to help animals beat the heat, Delhi Zoo Director Sanjeet Kumar said, "In their visitor area, all the sprinklers, and water ponds have already been repaired and running water has been provided. Coolers have been provided at all the night shelters. The gates have been opened from 12-3 pm...We are releasing animals in batches so that all animals are not overexposed to heat. We are fully prepared with all the life-saving and emergency medicines."
"For the visitors, we have provided free drinking water with a chiller at various water points. Apart from that, drinking water, lassi, fruit juice and ice creams are being sold at various kiosks," he further said.
He further urged the visitors to avoid visiting the zoo from 12 pm to 3 pm due to extreme heat conditions.
According to the India Meteorological Department, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are very likely in few parts of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Rajasthan, isolated pockets of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and heatwave conditions are very likely in few parts of Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, isolated pockets of Jammu division, Himachal Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh on May 30.
