Vandalur zoo reuses desilted soil to improve animal enclosures
The zoo management said that it has undertaken significant efforts to improve the soil quality in its herbivore enclosures.
CHENNAI: To provide natural forage for animals housed in the zoo, the management of Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur has repurposed the top fertile soil from desilted ponds for enclosure enrichment.
In a release, the zoo management said that it has undertaken significant efforts to improve the soil quality in its herbivore enclosures.
“The soil in some enclosures had become compacted, limiting grass growth. To address this, the park recently renovated its percolation ponds and effectively repurposed the top fertile soil from the desilted ponds for enclosure enrichment,” the release added.
As part of this initiative, the enclosures of the Indian Gaur and Deer, covering 30,519 sqft across eight enclosures, were revitalised with raking of compacted soil, addition of fertile soil, and sowing of green grass seeds. “This enhancement provides animals with a more stable walking surface, acting as a cushion that promotes proper hoof care. It also fosters the growth of grasses, which will serve as natural forage for the animals in the coming months. This facility will simulate the near natural habitat of animals,” the release said.
As a part of monsoon preparedness, the zoo management desilted and deepened its major percolation ponds to increase water storage.
