Delhi zoo initiates revamp plan, steps to keep animals active

NEW DELHI: Swings for chimpanzees, wooden logs in the elephant enclosures, artificial nests for free- living birds, food baskets for deer species are some of the measures Delhi zoo authorities have taken to make the animals active besides giving a new look to the facility.

The zoo has drawn a roadmap to make the premises friendlier for animals and birds and has already refurbished the enclosures of various species like the Chowsingha, Barasingha, Sambar deer and spotted deer, among others.

"Food baskets have already been installed in several deer enclosures. We are also moving logs of wood in bear and elephant enclosures for recreational purposes. Ropes are being tied and made into swings for chimpanzees and gibbons," zoo curator Riyaz Khan told PTI.

The zoo authorities have also decided to install nests for free-living, visiting birds inside the zoo premises and work is already underway.

"200 artificial nests are being made and will be installed soon. On June 5, we had installed a couple of nests for fre — living birds. This will provide free-living birds a safe haven in zoo premises," said Khan.

The Delhi zoo receives many visiting birds such as house sparrows, owls, parakeets, bulbuls, kingfishers and hornbills.

During winters, bird-watchers throng the Delhi zoo. Khan said facilities for bird-watchers are likely to come up by December.

For visitors coming to the zoo, several changes are also underway.

To give the visitors a pleasant feel, new set of signboards are being installed replacing the old ones. The new signage is relatively bigger in size, more descriptive and provides a guiding way to visitors.