Coolers, sprinklers and special diets: Indroda Zoo protects animals from extreme heat
Gandhinagar, May 29
As Gujarat continues to reel under intense heatwave conditions, the Forest Department has undertaken special measures at the Indroda Nature Park in Gandhinagar to protect wildlife from scorching temperatures and hot winds.
According to an official release from Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO), under the guidance of Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali, the zoo--managed by the GEER (Gujarat Ecological Education and Research) Foundation--has implemented extensive summer management arrangements from April onwards, which will remain operational until the onset of monsoon.
Indroda Nature Park currently houses over 600 wild animals, including 3 lions, 2 tigers, 3 leopards, freshwater crocodiles, hyenas, rare birds, and reptiles. To shield these animals from the extreme heatwave sweeping across Gujarat, both modern cooling systems and traditional eco-friendly methods have been introduced within their enclosures.
A total of 15 jumbo air coolers have been installed in the enclosures of carnivorous animals and inside the reptile house. These coolers remain operational during peak afternoon heat to regulate temperatures. Visitors to the reptile section are also receiving relief from the unbearable heat due to this arrangement, a release stated.
To provide cooling during the hottest hours of the day, 20 high-pressure sprinklers have been installed across open areas of the zoo. These sprinklers function continuously from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, helping create a naturally cooler environment for the animals.
Traditional khus (vetiver) curtains have been installed in carnivore enclosures, reptile houses, and aviaries. These curtains are regularly sprinkled with water, transforming hot air into cool breezes. Additionally, special agronet shades have been erected to protect animals from direct sunlight.
As a result of these measures, temperatures inside animal enclosures have reportedly reduced by 2°C to 4°C compared to ambient outdoor temperatures, creating a favourable "micro climate" for the wildlife.
To ensure the health and well-being of animals during the summer season, veterinarians have modified their daily diet plans.
As per a release, to prevent bloating and digestive complications caused by excessive food intake during extreme heat, the daily food quantity for carnivorous animals has been reduced by approximately 500 grams to 1 kilogram, depending on individual requirements.
At the same time, cooling and water-rich fruits such as watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber have been added to the diets of animals and birds to maintain hydration levels. Herbivorous animals are also being given oral rehydration powder enriched with Vitamin C, along with multi-mineral and vitamin supplements, to protect them from heat stroke and electrolyte imbalance.
As Indroda Nature Park is a protected forest area, several free-ranging wild animals such as Hanuman langurs, nilgai, peacocks, and hyenas also roam within the campus apart from caged animals.
To ensure these animals do not face water scarcity during the harsh summer months, dedicated water points have been set up across the forest area. These water stations are cleaned daily and regularly replenished.
Experienced veterinary doctors are available round-the-clock for emergency treatment and regular health monitoring of all animals. Zoo staff and veterinary teams are continuously monitoring the condition of the wildlife amid the severe heatwave, a release added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the efforts, but it's shocking that earlier this wasn't standard practice. We're talking about animals' lives here - basic cooling should be mandatory in all zoos during summer. Glad they're finally doing something, but why only after formal instructions from the CMO? 🙄
🤔 The diet change to watermelon and cucumber for animals is interesting. We give our dogs the same thing during summers! And the khus curtains? Chef's kiss! 🧡 This is the kind of climate-adaptive thinking we need everywhere in India.
As someone who visited Indroda last year, this makes me so happy! The animals there are incredible - especially the lions. Knowing they have 24/7 vet care and special cooling arrangements gives me peace of mind. Well done, Gujarat Forest Department! 👏
The 2-4°C temperature reduction is impressive, but I'm more concerned about the free-ranging animals - langurs, nilgai, peacocks etc. The dedicated water points are a good start but they need shaded resting areas too. Our native wildlife deserves just as much care as the caged ones. 🌿🦚
Living in Gujarat for 5 years now, I've seen how severe summers can get. This is exactly the proactive approach needed. The mix of air coolers, sprinklers, and traditional methods shows thoughtful planning. Now if only they'd extend similar heat protection measures to the stray animals on Ahmedabad streets too! 🐾
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