The Haryana Forest Department has taken a series of steps to keep the animals warm in the zoos across the state at a time when the temperatures are plummeting by the day.
Stating that the Wildlife wing of Haryana Forest department has taken extra measures for animals and birds to make them feel at ease during ongoing winter season, ML Rajvanshi, Haryana chief conservator of forests said staff involved in dealing with animals and birds in Zoos have been kept on high alert. “Apart from their physiological needs, dietary supplements are also being provided to the animals with inclusion of multivitamins and multiminerals in the diet for increasing their immunity, ‘’ he added.
Rajvanshi said that in case of birds, all the cages have been covered with fiber clothes, jute mat and polythene sheets tightly to save them from wind chill and winter rain. Paddy straw and wheat husk bedding have been provided to all the birds for warm nesting. For herbivore animals, temporary shelters and huts made from wooden logs and bamboo have been constructed with the help of binding wire and ropes. These facilities are water-proof, he added.
Three zoos located at Pipli (Kurukshetra), Rohtak and Bhiwani, and in Deer Park near Dhansu village in Hisar have been set up to conserve rare fauna, make the general public aware of wildlife and facilitate research on wildlife behaviour and disease management. Every year, special seasonal care and support is provided to animals for their better upkeep. Officials have been asked to provide a hygienic and comfortable environment to keep them stress free, said the chief conservator of forests, adding that with winter hitting in full force, the management of zoos are using scientific techniques to keep enclosures of birds and animals warm. Instructions have been given to the officials concerned to use a combination of facilities, technical staff and supplements for this. “Using a combination of facilities like trained technical staff, food supplements and special manpower to look after hygiene and cleaning of enclosures, special enclosures have been designed to discourage winter winds. Materials have been used to keep the enclosures warm and give natural glazing against the cold,” he added.
When contacted, Devendra Hooda, Inspector (wildlife) of Rohtak Zoo said, “Several methods are being used to keep animals, birds and reptiles comfortable in the harsh winter. Chiks for all birds and sheds constructed for ostrich have been made. Room heaters and heat convectors have been provided in night shelters of tiger, leopard, and other cats.
All windows and openings have been covered with polythene or fiber sheets and sacrum grass thatch. Special temperature control arrangements have been made for old and young animals, he said. Temporary shelters/huts have been made using wooden logs and bamboo with the help of binding wire and ropes, the Inspector (Wildlife) said, adding that waterproof arrangements have been made in all enclosures of herbivore animals.
