Pre - Monsoon Preparation At Nehru Zoological Park
We are trying our best to protect our animals from diseases and stress - Dr Sunil S. Hiremath, Director of NZP
HYDERABAD: The Nehru Zoological Park is getting ready to keep animals, visitors, and staff safe during the monsoon rain.
Zoo enclosures have been designed to protect animals from harsh weather. Tin sheds and shade structures have been built to prevent rainwater from entering. The enclosures allow animals to move in and out freely depending on the weather.
To ensure animal health, the veterinary team now works in three shifts, allowing them to check almost all animals daily. In serious cases, the deputy director steps in for further checks. On maintenance days, the team focuses on treating illnesses, improving animal conditions, and deep cleaning the premises.
“We are trying our best to protect our animals from diseases and stress. These efforts are important for the health and safety of both the animals and the staff,” Dr Sunil S. Hiremath, director of NZP said.
Zoo officials said they were working on arranging an air-conditioned vehicle for transporting birds. Currently, the zoo has only one vehicle that can carry a limited number of cages. They are exploring other vendors who can supply larger, climate-controlled vehicles to ensure safe and comfortable transportation of animals.
The zoo has also stepped-up efforts to prevent the spread of animal-borne diseases, officials said. Officials have written to the animal husbandry department requesting that ring vaccination to be done in and around the zoo. This method, commonly used in national parks, involves vaccinating domestic animals near the zoo to stop diseases from spreading to or from wild animals.
Zoo officials explained that infections can sometimes come from nearby places, where buffaloes and other cattle are present. Vaccinating animals in surrounding areas acts as a safety ring to protect zoo animals.
Alongside vaccination, several biosecurity measures are in place. Staff follow strict hygiene practices including regular handwashing and sanitation. After animals return to their enclosures, the zoo team thoroughly cleans the area. Fecal matter is quickly removed and burned, especially during the rainy season, to avoid contamination.
A cleaning chemical called R-C4 is used in night shelters, and if any infection remains, the area is disinfected again through burning. Fogging, bleaching powder, and green net barriers are also used to prevent virus transmission between enclosures.We are trying our best to protect our animals from diseases and stress