Bhubaneswar: With the fall in minimum temperatures across Odisha, the authorities of Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) here have made special arrangements to protect the animals and birds from the cold climate.

The zoo authorities have installed room heaters at the enclosures of chimpanzees, hoolock gibbons, marmosets, tamarins and some other species of monkeys to keep them warm at night, sources said.

They have spread blankets and straw-made mattresses at the enclosures of anaconda, python, Burmese python, king cobra and cobra to provide them comfort amid the fall in night temperature. Besides, electric bulbs have been installed at the enclosures of these reptiles to protect them from winter cold, sources added.

The employees of the zoo have been asked to cover the enclosures of birds with thick nylon nets at night to beat the prevailing cold climate, said a source.

Notably, the NZP officials used to take special care of the animals and birds in summer to keep them safe from the scorching heat.

They arrange air coolers, ice slabs and water sprinklers to keep the enclosures of the zoo inmates cool. Besides, the officials erect sheds and fill the artificial ponds and pools inside the enclosures with water to fight the hot climate.

Moreover, some species of herbivores including elephants and monkeys are served special diets, including water-rich fruits, to keep them hydrated, sources said.