LAHORE: The zoo administration has taken measures to provide a comfy and cozy atmosphere to animals and birds in the cold and chilly winter ahead.

This was stated here on Monday by Dr Babar Saleem having an additional charge of deputy director of the Lahore Zoo.

He said the zoo had prepared its winter plan of action for animals under two major heads -- feeding and the housing management.

Under the winter feed plan, high protein diet such as dry fruits will be given to monkeys and birds.

Mr Saleem said that monkeys such as chimpanzees and olive baboons from the African origin needed more care during winter because these primates belonged to warm areas. “That is why we have wasted no time in placing heaters in their cages to keep them comfortable in sheer winter,” he said.

Besides monkeys, other animals are also provided such food ingredients that help them lessen the effect of cold weather. Ungulates (the deer family) are provided with molasses, elephant is given jaggery while birds are fed supplements in their food, eggs and dry fruit. The birds are also provided multivitamins.

Under the housing management, since snakes are cold blooded reptiles their cages would also be equipped with heaters. Plastic sheets would be wrapped around cages of birds, he said.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2015