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Big cats enjoying a cool time at Nahargarh
Rescue Centre in Jaipur
by Lokendra Singh

     Jaipur: At a time when people in many parts of north India are still confronting the heat wave, special arrangements have been made for the lions and tigers in Jaipur's Nahargarh Rescue Centre to help them beat the heat. The big cats are being looked after by caretakers and dieticians. Temperatures in the sprawling area of the Centre surpass 45 degrees, which is enough to dehydrate and sap the energy of even the sturdy Lions, who are known to survive without food and water for over a fortnight. Officials of Nahargarh Rescue Centre, country's biggest tiger and lion rescue centre are taking no chances and working round the clock to give a coolest atmosphere possible to the big cats. The special arrangement includes use of sprinklers and water coolers. "We give them water three to four times. We clean up its enclosures at least two times a day. They take bath twice. They are given light food so that their bowel system remains normal and healthy. To combat the temperature and keep the tigers and the lions cool, we have plugged in coolers and sprinklers. There is no dearth of water here," said Abdul Latif, Lion and Tiger supervisor.

    The big cats have struck a friendly chord with the caretakers. They usually growl and roar with a smallest hint of water near their prison. Between two animals one cooler is installed and "Khus-Khus" (fragrant Vetiever roots) mats, which are continuously kept wet so that hot waves convert into cool breeze, wrap a cage. Even the diets of the treasured animals are taken care of minutely. To avoid the tigers from getting dehydrated in the scorching heat, their diet includes a dose of anti-hydrates and glucose in the water they drink. "We give electron and glucose to the Lions and Tigers so that they do not dehydrate. Caretakers take special care of the animals. Whenever there is a report about any of them getting dehydrated, or any digestive problem, we immediately take a call," said Tejraj Sharma, Superintendent, Nahargarh Rescue Centre. At Nahargarh Rescue Centre, the animals, mostly brought from circuses or injured in sanctuaries, are housed in the rescue centre for recuperation. The majestic animals were once widely distributed in Asia, from Asia Minor and Arabia through Persia to India before the close of the last century; the Asiatic Lion had become extinct from its range. Wildlife experts have warned that these animals are coming into conflict with humans as increasing population, encroachment by tribal and villagers leaves them exposed to hunters and poachers. In recent months, India has been concerned over the danger to its tiger population, particularly, Prime Minster Manmohan Singh himself has rapped the authorities for their dwindling numbers. In India, official estimates place the tiger population at 3,500 to 3,700, although international experts dispute the figure and say their number is barely 2,000.
-May 20, 2006

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