“With the onset of harsh winters, every care is being taken to provide the best of facilities to the different types of animals at the Chhatbir zoo to make them feel comfortable. Special shelters made of sacrum, a kind of local shrub, have been constructed in every enclosure,” said Dharminder Sharma, field director of the zoo.

Heaps of paddy straw, which is several times warmer than pollyfill or the mattresses used by human beings, have been placed all over the zoo.

“While arrangements have been made for all animals, special care is being taken of those acquired from the Mysore zoo in October this year. These animals include Fellow Bear, Baboon, Black Swan and Bison,” said Sharma. He said jute mats had been put up on all the windows and openings of the houses or enclosures so that the warmth could be maintained.

Talking about the changed dietary patterns of the animals, the field director said: “Instead of banana, we are giving papaya to bears, elephants, hippos and monkeys. Papaya keeps them warm. While the chimpanzees are being given honey, there is sugarcane for elephants and turnip for bears. Sea cod oil is given to the critically endangered species during such harsh conditions.” The winter has brought along as many as 10 different species of migratory birds to the zoo.

“The birds that have visited the zoo include Spot-billed Duck, Comb Duck, Ruddy Shell Duck, Dab Chick, Common Pochard, Pintail, Mallard, Indian Shag, Koot and Cormorant,” said Sharma.