For a cosy winter

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17

Starved for freedom, but comforted in cages, animals at the MC Zoological Park, Chhatbir, feel-at-home in cosy corners. Field director M Sudagar said the authorities have spent above Rs 15 lakh on winter-care arrangement over a span of three months.

“We have exotic birds, like emu, cockatoo sulphur crested, cockatiel grey, budgerigar, pheasant ring-necked, lady amherst pheasant, zebra finches, and black swan, and mammals, including hippopotamus, jaguar and hamadryas baboon, in the zoo. Harsh weather can affect their metabolism and behaviour,” he said.

Range officer and zoo education officer, Harpal Singh said there’s a small lake in the zoo where hundreds of migratory birds visit every winter.

“The Chhatbir zoo has trained and dedicated manpower. Every year, special seasonal care and support is provided to animals for their better up-keep,” said Harpal.

Dietary care

• Honey (100 gm) and sugarcane (1 kg) to each bear every day
• Jaggery (100 gm) to each deer and (20 gm) to each monkey daily 
• Sugarcane (100 gm) to each monkey every day
• Sugarcane (100 kg) to each elephant every day
• Flaxseeds and nutrition supplements to small birds