Special arrangements have been made for the animals in the Dehradun Zoo as the cold intensifies. Changes have been made to their food menu to protect them from the cold. Along with their regular diet, they are being provided with jaggery, bran, and salt to keep them warm.
The zoo administration has left no stone unturned in ensuring the well-being of the animals, from their meals to their living conditions, according to the cold weather. The perimeters around the enclosures of the animals have been increased for enhanced monitoring.
Situated in Malsi, Dehradun Zoo has taken special measures for the wild animals to cope with the cold weather and ensure their food requirements are met. Special arrangements have been made for Sambar, Kakar, Goral, and Chital to protect them from the cold. Their diet has been supplemented with increased quantities of cut fodder, along with the inclusion of jaggery, bran, and salt. Himalayan battisa is also being provided as part of their meals.
The Deputy Forest Officer, Vinod Kumar Lingwal, stationed in the zoo, mentioned that employees have been deployed to monitor the animals in each enclosure. One employee is responsible for overseeing three to four enclosures.
He stated that as soon as the winter season arrives, the menu for the animals’ meals is also modified. Adequate arrangements for hay have been made in the areas or sheds where the animals sleep or stay during the night. The hay is being cut and provided to them.
Jaggery and bran generate heat within the animals’ bodies. Additionally, the snakes have been provided with heaters and adequate amounts of blankets. Snakes, belonging to the reptile category, tend to become dormant during the winter season. The Dehradun Zoo is home to more than a dozen species of snakes. Special arrangements have been made for the snakes, including the installation of heaters in their enclosures.
Sufficient amounts of blankets have also been placed alongside them. The goal is to maintain a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius for the snakes at all times. For this purpose, 2000-watt heaters are switched on every four hours. Each enclosure has two heaters installed. The shed is opened when the sun comes out.
The following snake species are present in the zoo:
- Green Iguana
- Spectacled Cobra
- Common Rat Snake
- Russell’s Viper
- Indian Rock Python
- Common Sand Boa
- Common Vine Snake
- Checkered Keelback
- Reticulated Python
- Common Krait
- Burmese Python.