Cuttack, May 29: The municipal corporation has doubled the diet for the animals at the at the Madhusudan Nagar deer park.
Keeping in view the heat-wave conditions, the civic body is now providing water-rich fruits to the animals twice a day and extra care is being taken to protect them from dehydration.
The diet revision comes in the wake of donation from a Bhubaneswar-based businessman who has begun donating 100kg of fruits every day for this purpose.
Sashank Sekhar Nayak, 41, has decided to provide water-rich fruits such as watermelon and cucumber so that the animals get enough nutrients to survive the harsh summer.
"I had approached the authorities and expressed my willingness to support the animals at the deer park. I am happy that people have started appreciating the effort," said Nayak.
Local councillor Ramzan Khan said the noble gesture had inspired many local residents at Tulasipur who are also interested to lend a helping hand in the management of the deer park.
"It is nice that people have started to care for the animals and we will actively consider the proposals submitted by the residents," said Khan.
At present, eight kg cabbage, 16kg cucumber and watermelon, besides 153kg of deer feed is provided to the animals during summer season.
The civic body used to spend nearly Rs 1,000 per day for the special menu for the animals to protect them from dehydration. Voluntary donation by individuals could help the civic body reduce its expenditures.
At present, there are around 190 animals including 71 male and 91 female adults at Madhusudan Nagar deer park that was established in 1981.
"We have already installed temporary barricades and water sprinklers are also being used to reduce ground heat inside the deer park. Besides, 500kg of glucose is also being provided to the animals to protect them from dehydration," said caretaker Sibaprasad Das.
A. Sridevi, chairperson CMC standing committee for park and plantations, said two permanent rest sheds would also come up inside the park.
"The Central Zoo Authority of India had renewed the licence for the deer park till 2017 and adequate steps are taken to improve the infrastructure," said Sridevi.
