Hyderabad Zoo installs coolers, sprinklers to protect animals from summer heat

The Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad has implemented a comprehensive summer action plan, including air coolers, foggers, rain guns and special diets, to protect over 2,100 animals from rising temperatures while also improving visitor facilities during the peak season.

Hyderabad: With the temperatures soaring, the Nehru Zoological Park switched to both traditional and modern cooling systems to ensure its animals stay protected this summer season. From air conditioners, air coolers, sprinklers, small rain guns to diet change, the zoo rolled out a comprehensive summer action plan to help its inmates beat the heat.

Air coolers are already up and running in the carnivore enclosures and monkey area. In addition, the enclosures have been covered with vetiver curtains and thunga grass, which are frequently watered to keep the temperatures down. Air conditioners, along with exhaust fans, have been installed at the nocturnal animal house.

In addition to water sprinklers and small rain guns in all animal enclosures, the zoo equipped foggers in the reptile house, macaws, and all pheasantry and aviary areas. While all birds’ cages are covered with thunga grass, which reduces the temperature, shade nets cover the duck pond and stork pond area.

Apart from providing shady shelters to all herbivore enclosures, Kashkash thattis are arranged at all the animal house enclosures, where the top roof is covered with thunga grass.

The Hyderabad Zoo management has also tweaked the diet menu for the animals. Frozen treats, citrus fruits and watermelon, and among other foods, have been made part of the meal to ensure the animal’s body temperature is maintained.

Glucose and electrolyte powder water are being provided to animals to keep them hydrated. In addition, Vitamin C and B-Complex supplements, along with thermo care liquid, are also included in the meals.

“We have made elaborate arrangements for all animals to keep them cool and hydrated. Thattis and thunga grass are being watered at least three or four times a day to ensure that animals stay protected from the soaring temperatures. We also changed the diet. The vet team is on a constant vigil to take preventive steps to avoid the summer stress to the wild animals, birds, and reptiles,” said J Vasantha, Curator, Nehru Zoological Park.

Presently, the Hyderabad Zoo is home to 196 species of animals and more than 2,100 individuals. As a large number of people are expected to visit the zoo during the summer season, palm leaf sheds are installed in different locations where more visitors gather. Drinking water facilities have also been made available at different locations.