Special arrangements for animals at Thiruvananthapuram's zoo to beat summer heat

Special arrangements have been made at Thiruvananthapuram’s Zoo for animals to beat the heat. The animals are being sprayed with water, given anti-stress medicines. Water pools, sprinklers, air-conditioners, coolers and fans have been fitted in cages and enclosures according to the nature of the inmates and their requirements. Overall diet of animals has been changed in view of the rising temperature during summers.

Thiruvananthapuram: Uninterrupted air-conditioning, fan, swimming pools, nutritious food, health supplements and fruit ice punch.

What more one can ask for to beat the scorching summer heat in Kerala, where the mercury level is soaring with each passing day.

These are not facilities at any five-star hotel but ones offered by the zoo here for its inmates to beat the summer heat.

As the temperatures soar, the authorities have made elaborate arrangements at the sprawling zoo premises and effected significant changes in the menu of animals and birds.

Located in a 36-acre land in the heart of the city, the Thiruvananthapuram zoological park houses about 1,150 animals and birds of over 120 species.

Water pools, sprinklers, air-conditions, coolers and fans have been fitted in cages and enclosures according to the nature of the inmates and their requirements.

Multiple showers are given to the animals to maintain the body temperature and seasonal and water-rich fruits and vitamin and mineral mixtures are provided in the regular menu, a senior zoo official said.

"Pools are arranged in the enclosures of animals like tiger, leopards, bear, hippopotamus and bison. We ensure regular water supply at the tanks and moats," T V Anil Kumar, Superintendent, Zoological Garden, told Media.

"So that they can drink and take bath as per their requirements," he said.

Air-conditioners have been fitted in the cages of reptiles especially, anacondas, as they are accustomed to cool climates, the official said adding that thermometers to monitor the daily temperature also have been kept at the snake enclosure.

"We select and include species-specific food for the inmates. Fruits like watermelon, cucumber, pineapple, pumpkin and so on are included in the daily menu," he told Media.

While Himalayan bears are given ice punch with fruits like watermelon, monkeys are fed with groundnuts, bananas, sugarcane, sprouted pulses and vegetables.

As the city zoo has a green environment and rich canopy, the heat threat is comparatively low, he said.