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Surviving the monsoon
| Zoo authorities are gearing up to save the avian friends from the onslaught of the monsoon |
In danger Exotic birds are highly susceptible to viral diseases like pneumonia during the monsoon Photo: K.R. Deepak
The piercing wail of the peacocks greets the visitors near their enclosures. As the rain clouds hover over the skies, its beautiful iridescent blue-green plumage comes alive. Like many of us, monsoon is its most favourite season. But for the avian friends of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park this is the most dreaded period.
There is a pervasive silence in the bird enclosure as the winged wonders sit muted on the bars. The silence of the afternoon is occasionally punctuated by the bell-like, fluid calls of the avian bandits. As the clouds to descend down upon the quiet precincts of the zoo providing much relief to the other restless inmates, the arrival of the rains signify the struggle for survival for the birds.
Smaller birds like parakeets, cockatoo, lovebirds and exotic species like macaw are a vulnerable lot during the monsoon as they are more susceptible to diseases like pneumonia and viral diseases.
“Maximum deaths occur during the monsoons. If the bird is old, the resistance level decreases leading to deaths on many occasions. Though aquatic birds do not face any such troubles, the terrestrial birds need special care,” zoo curator Rahul Pandey said.
Like last year, even the repeated efforts by the doctors and the zoo officials could not save a female white cockatoo that died after it caught a viral disease.
To prevent such recurrence of diseases among the avian bandits, the zoo authorities have geared up with several precautionary measures to ensure that the birds remain unaffected during the monsoon.
“An antibiotic dose has been administered to them after the first monsoon shower. It’s a five-day course that is mixed with water and given to the birds. After a gap of two and a half months, a second course will be given,” he said. Asbestos sheets have been placed on rooftops of the enclosures directly above the perching area to prevent the direct inflow of rainwater. Meanwhile for the other inmates, especially the aged crowd of the zoo, this is the season they to rejoice after a tough blistering summer.
NIVEDITA GANGULY
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