Patna: Amid rising temperatures, the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, popularly known as Patna Zoo, has implemented comprehensive measures to safeguard its wildlife and visitors from the intense summer heat and potential heatstrokes.
Cooling Systems Installed
Following recommendations from the park’s Health Advisory Committee, coolers and fans have been installed in night houses for carnivores, bears, and primates, including leopards, tigers, lions, hyenas, small cats, Himalayan and sloth bears, chimpanzees, and hoolock gibbons. A total of 17 coolers and 53 fans are now operational to help maintain comfortable temperatures for the animals. Night-house cells and roofs are regularly sprinkled with water to reduce heat buildup, while water is sprayed directly on the bodies of animals such as bears and tigers housed indoors, said zoo officials.
Reptiles and Birds
For reptiles like pythons, cobras, vipers, and dhamins, 11 air-conditioning units have been set up across the snake house, nocturnal enclosure, and aquarium, supplemented by water spraying on the floors of their cells. Mist foggers and sprinklers have been introduced in bird cages and all deer enclosures to provide relief through evaporative cooling. Fountains have been added to the enclosures of emus, ostriches, and bears for added comfort.
Water Management
Water management has received special attention to ensure uninterrupted supply. All borewells in the park have been repaired, and arrangements have been made for continuous cold water availability in elephant enclosures, including through sprinklers and moats. Additional moats have been created for rhinoceroses, and water is being sprayed on roadside plants within the sanctuary to maintain greenery and reduce ambient heat. Drinking water facilities have also been enhanced for birds across the premises.
Dietary Adjustments
Zoo director Hemant Patil said dietary adjustments play a key role in protecting the animals from dehydration and heat-related stress. “Glucose, multivitamins, and preventive medicines against heatstroke are being administered to all species. The diet of carnivorous animals has been reduced to avoid indigestion, with additives like a range of veterinary products, glucose-based energy drinks, and oral rehydration solution mixed into their drinking water,” he said.
“Chimpanzees receive juicy fruits such as coconut water, watermelon, melon, cucumber, banana, curd-rice, pomegranate juice, grapes, and oranges. Bears are offered a mix of coconut water, watermelon, cucumber, oranges, seasonal fruits, yoghurt, chapati, and kheer, with winter supplements discontinued from early May,” Patil said on Friday. Hoolock gibbons and lion-tailed macaques get extra watermelon and melon, while elephants receive regular bananas. The feed quantity for gharials and muggers has been increased to meet their energy needs during hotter days. Glucose and homoeopathic medicines are provided to both herbivorous and carnivorous animals as a safeguard.
Visitor and Staff Facilities
To support visitors and staff, 14 water coolers equipped with RO systems have been installed, along with cold water in earthen pots at 30 locations throughout the park. Wildlife monitoring continues round the clock, with staff provided T-shirts and caps for comfort during patrols. On March 31, the entire park team underwent fire prevention training by the fire brigade. Water tankers remain on standby 24x7 in forested areas to tackle any potential outbreaks, and fire extinguishers have been positioned at critical spots, including the director’s and field offices, wildlife hospital, feed warehouse, 3D theatre, annexe, zoo education centre, nature education library, battery-operated vehicle shed, aquarium, nocturnal enclosure, snake house, and various animal enclosures.
