Room heaters, bonfires keep Ranchi’s zoo animals warm
By IANSFriday, January 7, 2011
RANCHI - Room heaters and bonfires are being used to keep Ranchi’s zoo animals warm in the bone-chilling cold.
The severe cold wave that has already claimed lives of 62 people in Jharkhand so far has also been harsh on animals.
The animals of Birsa Munda Zoo of Ranchi have finally found some relief after the zoo authorities started using room heaters and blowers. The mercury around the zoo read 3.5 degree Friday morning.
“We are using room heaters and blowers in the cages of tigers and lions. Bonfires are being used to keep elephants and other animals warm,” a zoo official told IANS Friday.
He added that the cages of tigers and lions are also covered with jute sacks to protect them from the cold.
Similar measures have been adopted in the other zoos of the state as well.
“We are keeping close watch on the animals. They are facing the worst winter in many years here,” the official said.
The temperature in ten of the 24 districts in Jharkhand was below 5 degrees Celsius Friday.
According to Met department, the cold wave is likely to continue for a few more days. The minimum temperature in Ranchi Thursday was 4.8 degrees.
