Chennai: Vandalur zoo readies for monsoon rains

Chennai: Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur has been following strict protocol to protect its flora and fauna ahead of the fast-approaching northeast monsoon.

“We have been preparing ourselves ahead of the onset of southwest monsoon,” says the  joint director of AAZP, R. Sudha.

Their first plan of action was to clear trees surrounding the cage enclosures. “To avoid mishaps of trees falling on cages, we uprooted the trees around them,” she says. The other immediate action was to clear the drains across the zoo campus. During summer, dry leaves get accumulated in the drains. Before the start of the monsoon season, we wanted to ensure no clogs occur,” she said.

Small walls around enclosure will prevent overflooding and stagnation of water.

 The construction of thatched roofs built across the zoo is also nearing completion. New sheds are being installed for animals to take shelter. Zoo authorities are also regularly in touch with the Chennai Regional Meteorological Department to get updates on rainfall forecast. “Following heavy rainfall warning early this month we were directed to keep everything ready to prevent any breach,” said Kavitha, a range officer.

After Cyclone Vardah hit, over 25,000 trees were uprooted. To compensate, thousands of saplings have been planted. Over 20,000 saplings have been planted, especially around percolation tanks around the zoo.  “We had to remove some trees using forklifts. The deer enclosure was badly hit,” the range officer added.

AAZP officials are proud  that structures across the campus stood intact through the floods and Vardah. “Not one animal was injured, nor was there collapse of any structure. Several rumours began to take rounds but none of it was true,” added the joint director. The zoo is located such that it is surrounded by the Otteri and Nedugundram lakes. Due to this, the water was drained out quickly, she elaborated.  

After emergency work was completed following Vardah, an emergency response team was formed along with the director, assistant director and other forest officials. This response team divides different areas and focuses on their cleanliness and safety. 

Zoo officials too have left no stone unturned in their preparedness for the upcoming north-east monsoon. In case of excess rain or cyclones again, we are prepared, says Sudha. “Water suction motors are already in place across the zoo. Sandbags are also kept outside animal enclosures which do not have pits to protect water from flowing into it,” she says. 

 The health of animals is also a priority, at such a time. Sudha says that fans are installed to dry off the enclosures quickly and fumigation is done regularly. The veterinarians on campus keep a continuous check on the animals, especially their feet for any fungi build up.