It seems that prevailing cold weather has only forced the human beings to remain indoors, but the reality is quite different, as different species of animals, including those in the capital zoo, are also experiencing same. Nowadays, the people who visits the zoo, generally known as Marghazar Zoo, have to wait for a long time in front of cages to see their desired animals as most of them prefer to take refuge in the cages which have been covered through paddy stems in the winter by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
But the season is much worst for these animals that have been ignored by the authority as husk is not being provided to them. A source in CDA said poor financial condition of the civic body also affected the animals as lack of funds hampered the provision of modern necessities to keep the animals warm. The animals imported from foreign countries, like African black bucks, are more vulnerable to cold conditions. “Since, they are cold blooded, they don’t have a body mechanism to regulate their temperature; therefore, they opt remain inside the cages,” said the source, adding that the animals, like deer and elephant, were not much affected by severe winter.
A zoo official said the prevailing weather conditions could cause pneumonia to some species of animals,, adding that precautionary measures were obligatory to protect them from various diseases, which could also result in their death.
However, the staffers of the zoo have covered most of the cages with tarpaulin in order to save animals from cold wind. “Already the capital zoo have limited variety of animals in it and any further loss of an animal can result in a setback to the authority and it may also tarnish its image,” the official said, that for the last several months, concerns had been raised about the CDA’s performance in protecting the caged animals.
“I am standing here for last 15 minutes just to see the bear, which has hidden itself inside the cage, may be due to harsh winter,” a visitor Moin Raza said, while talking to Pakistan Today. He, however, praised the efforts of CDA in protecting animals from various diseases. Some of the cages, like that for crocodiles, have been completely covered by the zoo staff.
“I was searching for crocodiles. I was informed after more than 30 minutes that their cage has been covered through tarpaulin. Now, I cannot even see that whether the crocodiles are really present in the cage or the CDA is making us a fool under the pretext of winter,” said Jamil Agha, another visitor.
The veterinary officer of Murghazar Zoo, Dr Bilal, told Pakistan Today that special precautionary measures had been taken by the authority to keep the animals warm. He said although the animals imported from other countries were more vulnerable, the precautionary measures had been the same for all. He dispelled the impression that any of the animals had been ignored by the authority, saying the required food was being provided to all the animal species. “We have also transported paddy stem from Mian Channu to keep the cages warm,” he informed.
