Bonfires, blankets keeping zoo animals warm

With the gradual dipping of the mercury, the zoo authorities of the Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary in Tripura are now regularly organizing bonfire near animal enclosures and giving them warm blankets to protect them animals from cold, official sources said today.
Besides lighting bonfire, dry straw mats and blankets were being given to almost all animals, some specially made sheets were being given to the lions and tigers and quilts to the monkeys.
This week mercury dipped to 9 degree and an accompanying cold breeze made the winter harsh for the animals, officials said.
The Wildlife Sanctuary now hosts new-borns of three endangered animals, clouded leopard, pig-tailed macaque and spectacle monkey.

Of the 42 national breeding centers in the country, this sanctuary situated roughly 18 km from here, was assigned by the Central Zoo Authority of India to breed four animals prone to extinction.
Another endangered animal Binturong, also known as bearcat, is yet to give birth to a baby in the breeding centre, officials said.

Indira Gandhi zoological park at Vishakapattanam has agreed to give two white Royal Bengal tigers and three four horned deer in exchange of two pig tailed Macaque bear and a clouded leopard, Assistant Wild Life Warden Ajit Bhaumick said.
A clouded leopard's average life span is 12 to 15 years.

There are three female clouded leopards and as many males in the breeding centre, Bhaumick said.