Jungle World Zoo gears up for harsh winter preparations for animals and birds

Rawalpindi

The upcoming harsh winter season demands special care for small and large animals and birds kept in cages as they are more vulnerable to succumb under the intense cold weather. Extra care and proper feeding for them goes a long way for them to survive all the winter months otherwise their precious life in jeopardized.

Keeping and caring for so many animals at one place Jungle World Zoo of Army Heritage Foundation follows a strict regime in winters to ward off the harsh consequences of winter on animals and birds.

The consultant, Jungle World Zoo, Army Heritage Foundation at Ayub National Park, Brigadier Khalid Hameed Chughtai while talking to ‘The News’ said that here in ‘Jungle World Zoo’ where we have more than 150 animals of about 25 species and more than 500 birds of about 50 species, special regime is followed in winters to make them as comfortable as possible.

The night quarters of our precious animals like tigers, lions, pumas and bears have heating system installed to make them comfortable in chilly winter nights. In other animals like zebras, miniature horses, blue bulls, different species of deers like hog deer, spotted deer, white fallow deer, black buck, chinkara etc their night quarters are made comfortable by laying the thick layer of rice Straw, covering the doors/windows with blankets to safeguard them from chilly blasts of air in winter nights. In the feeding regime in case of canine family cod liver oil is added on the meat to them keep the healthy. In case of bears the honey is added in the food item to ward off the stress of chilly conditions. Luke warm water is provided in the morning and evening .Different courses of vitamins is added in their feed to cope up the deficiencies and enhance their immunities to ward off any infection.

He said that in case of birds to safeguard the various species of exotic birds and parrots special regime is followed in winters to make them as comfortable as possible. We cover all the birds cages with the wind breaker sheets. Proper heating system is installed in those cages where very fragile birds live depending upon their weather tolerance.

He suggested to remove the water containers from their cages at 4.00 p.m. and put them back the next day at 10.00 a.m.. In the cold weather the temperature of water drops down and it is advisable not to give cold water to these delicate birds at night. He suggested that if the cages are moveable then they should be placed in sunlight which is good for their health. ‘Cod liver oil’ or ‘Sunflower oil’ is best for their health in the winters which is mixed in their feed thoroughly.

The feed of exotic birds and parrots is pearl millet or regular ‘bajra’, sunflower seeds, peanuts which they love to eat. Our Macaus, Cuckotoos, African Grey and all other species of parrots are very fond of sunflower seeds and peanuts. “We also put green leaves of spinach or ‘methi’ that fulfills their daily requirement of chlorophyll which is very good for their health. Seasonable fruits like bananas, apple, guava, carrots, corns etc are also given to them. Cod liver oil or sunflower oil is also added in the feed of Pheasants, fowls, ducks, ostriches, Emus etc. along with green leaves of spinach and seasonable fruits,” he said.

Talking about the indications of a sick animal or bird, he said that sick animal or bird will be off feed loosely hang their head in their torso, seem lethargic and don’t respond to movement in the cage. They should be immediately given treatment by a qualified veterinarian. Bird owners should move the cage, away from windows and doors. Moving your bird’s cage to a central location in the home can make a big difference in keeping the cold air away from sensitive birds.

Birds are very sensitive to smoke and fumes that can come from wood, gas or kerosene heaters. Some electric heaters are treated with a non-stick coating, which can create fumes that are deadly to birds.