Spl measures at Etawah Safari Park, Kanpur Zoo to protect animals from extreme heat

Kanpur: With temperatures soaring beyond 44 degrees Celsius across parts of Uttar Pradesh, special arrangements have been made at Etawah Safari Park and Kanpur Zoo to protect animals from the severe heatwave conditions.At Etawah Safari Park, authorities installed khas mats continuously sprinkled with water along with desert coolers inside the night enclosures of Asiatic lions to shield them from intense heat and hot winds. Air conditioners are also being used in the breeding centre housing lionesses and cubs.Safari Park Director Dr. Anil Patel said fogger and shower systems were being operated continuously across animal enclosures and safari zones to maintain cooler surroundings.Coolers have additionally been installed in bear and leopard enclosures, while humidity levels are being maintained in lion enclosures to protect older animals from heat stress.Officials said ponds used by deer are also being regularly replenished with tubewell water to ensure uninterrupted water availability during the scorching weather.To minimise exposure to afternoon heat, safari timings have also been revised, with visitor entry now beginning at 6:30 am.

Meanwhile, extensive cooling arrangements have also been made at Kanpur Zoo. Zoo authorities installed sprinklers in all enclosures to keep the soil and surroundings cool for animals.Zoo ranger Naved Ikram said protecting wildlife from the extreme heat remained the administration’s top priority.He added that besides environmental cooling measures, the diet of animals has also been modified to include seasonal and cooling food items to prevent dehydration and maintain their health during the ongoing heatwave.Officials said the zoo’s rhinoceros, Krishna, was seen taking showers under sprinklers to stay cool amid the rising temperatures.