Delhi zoo ramps up monsoon measures

To ensure animal safety and prevent flooding in enclosures during heavy rainfall, the National Zoological Park in Delhi has ramped up staff preparedness, initiated key infrastructure repairs, ordered new water pumps and adopted traditional remedies like turmeric and neem oil to deal with seasonal infections and flies.

With the monsoon officially arriving in the national capital, the zoo authorities have implemented their comprehensive monsoon action plan to avoid incidents of waterlogging that disrupted operations in the past. Last year, the zoo faced a lengthy power outage and flooding in several enclosures after water entered a transformer.

Zoo director Sanjeet Kumar assured that critical steps had already been taken, including repair and construction of rain sheds, clearing and desilting of drainage lines and testing and ordering of new pumps.

“All our pumps have been repaired and tested. We’ve ordered additional pumps to ensure we can flush out water as it pours,” he said, adding that additional manpower was deployed to keep pumping operations running 24×7.

Herbivore enclosures, especially those housing deer, have been given special attention as they are more prone to water accumulation. Soil mounds have been created inside the enclosures to provide animals with elevated ground in the case of flooding.

“We’ve also used waterproof sheets in kraals and feeding platforms to protect the animals,” Kumar added.

Apart from infrastructural measures, the zoo is continuing the use of traditional herbal solutions for animal care. Turmeric will be used on wounds and foot lesions to help dry and heal them faster, while neem oil will act as a natural disinfectant and fly repellent during the wet season.

The zoo staff is being equipped with monsoon gear, including gumboots, umbrellas and torches to ensure round-the-clock response.

“Essential monsoon medicines have been procured and the team is ready,” the director said, stating that regular internal reviews would be held, and coordination with local authorities would continue throughout the season.

Spread over 176 acres, the Delhi Zoo houses over 1,100 animals of 95 species, including the endangered Asiatic lion, Indian wolf and one-horned rhinoceros.

The zoo is also undergoing a multi-crore revamp aimed at upgrading animal habitats and visitor experience, with new features such as natural enclosures and glass viewing walls in the pipeline.

Delhi