The summer special camp for the animals and birds began at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur on Monday. A special diet, cooled thatched roofs, sprinklers, water showers and nets are part of the arrangements made for the birds, animals and reptiles at the zoo.
Over 2,000 animals at the zoo are expected to benefit from the initiative.
The elephants seemed to be the most privileged. They have the luxury of roaming freely in a spacious enclosure. A huge pond filled with water has been created for them and they can also wallow in a mud pit nearby.
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The three calves — Urigam (6), Giri (5) and Asokan (5) — have been provided with a generous supply of special food, which includes green gram and jaggery along with watermelon.
Gunny bags cover the ceilings at enclosures for terrestrial birds; water is sprayed on these bags thrice a day.
The ostrich, zebra and giraffe have been provided with a different kind of luxury — water sprinklers.
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Predator birds such as eagles and vultures, and others like hornbills, pelicans and herons have a protective “shade net” over their enclosures. Deer, bears, ostriches and zebras have been provided with pyramid-shaped thatched roofs