A zoo without cages

A heavy monsoon is good news not just for farmers in India, but also animals in the zoo. The rains this year not only eased the hardship of the caged beasts, but also gave the authorities innovative ideas, including a zoo without cages.

The new enclosures being built under the Rs100 million master plan for the Delhi Zoo are part of several measures being taken to improve the natural environs for captive animals.

As a test case, the lion- tailed macaque, a rare species of monkeys, has been removed from its cage and been provided with an enclosure bound by electric fences. Since the current passing through the fence is of low voltage and pulsating, the animals are not harmed.

"It is an ongoing process," said B.S. Bonal, director, National Zoological Park. "We had first made provisions for rhinos by removing the need for moats. The fence was installed in the rhino enclosure to stop the animals from entering the moat, which has stagnated water due to choked sewer lines."

Also, chimpanzees have been released from their enclosures and provided with hillocks to give the feel of natural surroundings. "The changes are being made keeping in mind the biological needs of the animals," said Bonal. "The spacious area gives them a psychological advantage as the animals feel they are in a forest," he added.

Iron grills and cement walls have made way for unobtrusive wires. And the animals get a feel of a natural habitat where human intervention is down to a bare minimum. In some areas there are natural barriers like hedges between the visitors and the fences.

Says the zoo official: "We expect people not to feed or tease animals or throw things at them. There are signboards indicating the presence of electric fence as also requesting people to enjoy the new look without disturbing the animals."

The zoo's Royal Bengal tigers have also been given more space to roam about. The additional space, divided into three areas, has been created behind their existing enclosure. All the tigers can now be out in the open in different areas. Trees have been planted and the new vegetation dotting the space include bamboo shoots, keekar, peepal and natural grass.

"Except carnivores belonging to the big cat family and some other dangerous animals, all other animals are shortly to be fenced off this way," said Bonal.

Earlier, the tigers were confined to cages and the place would never become dry. But ever since they started moving out of cages, it helps the cages to dry up during the day and reduces the chances of infection.

Moreover, venturing out of the confines of their cages, animals have been providing better view to the visitors, whose number this season has increased.

Even visitors coming to the zoo found the change in weather and environment a welcome relief. "Our children enjoyed the view of various animals this time. Last year when we visited, high temperature forced animals to stay in their enclosures and our visit proved a disaster," said a visitor.