CHHATBIR, Dec 28 — Authorities at Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park in Chhatbir have put in place extensive winter arrangements to protect animals from falling temperatures, including heated shelters, insulated enclosures and revised diet plans, officials said.
Carnivores such as tigers, lions and leopards have been provided room heaters and heat convectors inside night shelters. Windows have been insulated using polythene sheets, fibre panels and thatch to reduce cold air flow, officials from the Punjab Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department said.
Special temperature regulation measures have also been introduced for young and ageing animals, they said.
Herbivores have been housed in temporary waterproof shelters and given paddy straw and wheat husk bedding to retain warmth during cold nights.
Bird enclosures have been covered with fibre cloth, jute mats and polythene sheets, with foldable fronts designed to allow sunlight during the day.
The reptile house has been equipped with oil-filled heaters, UV lamps and insulated bedding. Turtles and tortoises have been provided aquarium heaters with water circulation systems to maintain stable water temperatures.
Officials said animal diets have been adjusted to meet increased energy needs during winter. Each bear is being fed 100 grams of honey daily along with 1 kg of sugarcane, while herbivores have been provided rock salt licks to meet mineral requirements.
Deer are given 100 grams of jaggery daily during harsh cold spells, monkeys receive jaggery and sugarcane, and elephants are fed up to 100 kg of sugarcane each day. Small birds are being provided alsi seeds and nutritional supplements, officials said.
