Kolkata: Alipore Zoo, the country's oldest formally stated zoological park, is for the first time availing the services of a dietitian for its animals.
The zoo, which has 1400 animals, reptiles and birds as its inhabitants, was till now dependent on veterinary physicians to check the quality and quantity of food provided to them.
"This is an unique initiative. Since January-February this year we have appointed a dietitian. He is presently looking into the diet of the animals," Alipore Zoo director Kanailal Ghosh said.
The dietitian, he said, looks after the quantity, tests the quality, checks the nutrient value of the food given to the animals, besides changing the menu according to the season.
"Earlier veterinary doctors and the zoo staff looked after the animal diet. But now the dietitian does the job although we provide best quality foods to the animals," Ghosh told PTI.
The dietitian's job, much like one for people, starts early in the morning after the food for the animal starts arriving in the zoo kitchen. The dietitian works in close coordination with the veterinary doctors working in the zoo.
"We have been working on this idea for quite some time. Especially in summer, food is an important element in keeping the animals cool and saving then from the hot and humid weather," he said.
The dietitian is on a year's contract, Ghosh said adding the zoo has also appointed a sanitary supervisor to keep the cages and moats of the animals and birds clean.
"Most of the time we receive complaints that the cages are in very poor condition. It is untidy, irrespective of the efforts by the zoo staff to keep it clean. Now with the appointment of the sanitary supervisor for the animals, the cages and the places where animals are kept will be more neat and clean," Ghosh said.
The zoo, which opened in 1876 and covers 19 hectares, has among other animals nine tigers and four lions and a rare species of Aldabra giant tortoise. It is also home to a large number of winter migratory birds and regularly receives hundreds of visitors.
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