Heaters, special food, oil-treatment for animals to protect animals at Patna zoo from cold – Times of India
Patna: As the winter chill has set in, the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, popularly known as Patna zoo, is taking extra precautions to ensure the well-being of the animal inhabitants. From deploying health-friendly oil heaters to increasing meal portions, every effort is being made to help the caged animals brave the cold weather.
The zoo authorities are taking special care of animals, including tigers, leopards, lions, bears, monkeys, chimpanzees, lion-tailed macaques, elephants and snakes to protect them from the biting cold.
Animals are prone to developing gastroenteritis and severe cold. In old animals severe cold can even lead to heart attacks, said an official.
Patna zoo director, Hemant Patil, said preparations like arranging heaters and other heating equipment for animals to help them tackle the cold weather conditions begin in advance around October-November.
“Like always, we have made special arrangements for our zoo animals this winter season too. We have phased out all the traditional bar heaters keeping in view the health aspect of the animals,” said Patil, adding, “Now, oil heaters have been placed everywhere to make the chill bearable and surroundings comfortable for the animals,” said Patil.
“As of now 50 oil heaters, which neither reduce humidity levels nor burn oxygen of the surroundings, are functional in the zoo for animals,” said the zoo director. Snake houses, on the other hand, are provided warmth by bulbs and carpets on the floor, he said.
Other special arrangements are related to their meals, which is increased in the winter season, leading to their weight gain, said the official. “The diet of carnivorous animals like tiger, leopard, black panther and lion, goes up to 12-13 kg per day, which otherwise remains around 8 kg in normal days,” he said, adding, increased diet also leads to their weight gain during the winter months.
Chimpanzees are fed with honey and ‘chawanprash’, while bears are especially given honey during extreme cold. Besides increasing the quantity of sugar cane given to elephants, they are also given oil-treatment for smoothening their nails and skin that gets cracked due to harsh weather conditions, said a zoo official.
The zoo authorities are taking special care of animals, including tigers, leopards, lions, bears, monkeys, chimpanzees, lion-tailed macaques, elephants and snakes to protect them from the biting cold.
Animals are prone to developing gastroenteritis and severe cold. In old animals severe cold can even lead to heart attacks, said an official.
Patna zoo director, Hemant Patil, said preparations like arranging heaters and other heating equipment for animals to help them tackle the cold weather conditions begin in advance around October-November.
“Like always, we have made special arrangements for our zoo animals this winter season too. We have phased out all the traditional bar heaters keeping in view the health aspect of the animals,” said Patil, adding, “Now, oil heaters have been placed everywhere to make the chill bearable and surroundings comfortable for the animals,” said Patil.
“As of now 50 oil heaters, which neither reduce humidity levels nor burn oxygen of the surroundings, are functional in the zoo for animals,” said the zoo director. Snake houses, on the other hand, are provided warmth by bulbs and carpets on the floor, he said.
Other special arrangements are related to their meals, which is increased in the winter season, leading to their weight gain, said the official. “The diet of carnivorous animals like tiger, leopard, black panther and lion, goes up to 12-13 kg per day, which otherwise remains around 8 kg in normal days,” he said, adding, increased diet also leads to their weight gain during the winter months.
Chimpanzees are fed with honey and ‘chawanprash’, while bears are especially given honey during extreme cold. Besides increasing the quantity of sugar cane given to elephants, they are also given oil-treatment for smoothening their nails and skin that gets cracked due to harsh weather conditions, said a zoo official.
