Chillax! Zoo inmates get new menu to beat heat

[1]

Arignar Anna zoological park at Vandalur has launched its summer management schedule to keep its wild inmates cool.

To beat the heat, diets of the large herbivores have been replaced with tender coconut, watermelon and cucumber. While birds enjoy frequent water spray, sloth bears have artificial honeycombs.

“Tanks are filled with water to the brim and kept ready so that animals can quench their thirst or relax themselves in the water. In case of birds, the topmost part of the cage is covered with jute bags and water is be sprinkled on regular basis”, said chief wildlife warden Karuna Priya.

Electrol powder, glucose and health tonics will be given to few exotic birds to fight this summer.

Based on the temperature variation, buttermilk, lassi and tender coconuts are also served to chimpanzees at the zoo, sources added.The elephants are also given frequent baths and the water inside the enclosures are frequently changed.

As temperature plays a vital role in the existence of certain reptiles, the summer management schedule is much better for reptiles inside the serpentarium enclosure. For King Cobras, additional coolers are placed in the air-conditioned enclosures, sources added.