Thiruvananthapuram: With the scorching summer here, the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo authorities have a hard time to ease the animals' sufferings. Now every day, the two Himalayan black bears, Kohima and Dimapur, are getting frozen fruits and vegetables to ease off the humidity. The tigers, lions and leopards languish in the water pools inside their enclosures to beat the sweltering humidity in the grand old zoo, synonymous for its rich flora and fauna.
Established by the then Maharaja of Travancore in 1857 over 55 acres of woodland, it has lakes and lawns. The zoological garden is unique in the country for its excellent landscapes, luxuriant growth of vegetation.
The royal look of lofty trees, towering bamboos, gives it a rare distinction of being one of the most beautiful zoos in South East Asia. Above all, the artificial 3.5-acre pond surrounded by trees gives refreshing feel inside. But still, the animals which are native to colder climates pant and huff during the summer season. T. V. Anil Kumar, zoo superintendent, said plans are on to construct a natural habitat like roof structures for ostrich, nilgai and spotted deer. “Until May end, the animals have to bear the harsh summer," he told DC.
"Hence we have decided to create more natural habitat. Fans are provided in the enclosures of the white tiger, royal Bengal tiger, lion and leopard." Animals like Himalayan bear gorge on summer treats everyday morning. It’s a visual treat to see how Kohima and Dimapur relish on frozen fruits and vegetables like watermelon, grapes, cucumber and apple apart from their daily quota of honey, milk, ragi, rice porridge, boiled egg and ground nuts. Fortunately, there has been no water shortage inside the museum and zoo ever since the water recycling plant was set up from drainage water.
