Special arrangements for summer at Nandanvan
| Date :28-Apr-2019 |
Staff Reporter RAIPUR:
Nandanvan wildlife rescue centre activated summer code of conduct as the temperature soared past the 40 degree Celsius to protect the animals from intense heat waves. Nandanvan Administration has reconfigured the diets of avian, mammals and reptilian species kept at the rescue centre. Even as the new Nandanvan Jungle Safari hogs the most limelight nowadays, there are still a sizeable numbers of exotic animals housed at the centre. While in forests, the avian species may resort to dipping their plumages in ponds or puddles to cool off, but at Nandanvan they have sprinklers and small pools in their cages, which are also blanketed by green nets which prevent them from blazing sun rays.
Pools inside the cages of big birds such as swans are always filled with water so the birds could take a swim anytime they feel the heat. Cages of leopards are also covered under the green nets and Vetiver Khus, which are sprayed intermittently with waters helps keep the temperature down inside the cage. Since the big cats like Lions and Tigers as well as black bucks were shifted to the Jungle Safari, Nandanvan only have Sambhars, Blue bulls, bears, leopard and crocodiles.
Enclosures of bears needed special attention since their hairy body are more prone to overheating. Most of these animals stay under the shades or in the moats all day to beat the heat. Administration has also changed the dietary prescription with introduction of summer-special seasonal fruits such as water melons.