PUNE: This summer, we will be able to enjoy the sight of elephants taking bath in a pool, which is being constructed at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park.
The Zoo administration has taken the decision to build a pool for elephants to encourage natural behaviour among them.
The Standing Committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved a proposal of Rs 30 lakh to build a pool for two elephants named Janki (18) and Neera (20), on Monday.
Rajkumar Jadhav, Director of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, said, “We are making a detailed plan for the pool. Now, as there is no pool, we have to give a shower to the elephants to cool them during the summer when the temperature rises.”
Jadhav further added, “The purpose is to provide enrichment to animals, which is necessary for their mental and physical stimulation. The pool will help elephants to increase their activity, stimulate their brains, encourage natural behaviour. Elephants usually enjoy water, as it is their natural behaviour to play in water.”
According to research, elephants are highly dependent on water. Water is imporatant not only for drinking, but also for their skin and to maintain general hygiene.
During their evolution, they were probably fully amphibious, and the present Asian elephants are reported to swim over three km in the ocean. Besides that, elephants need a daily shower for their skin care, and it’s not only physically important, but also important for their mental well being, especially for those in captivity.
The zoo is spread over 130-acres and is divided into 3 parts - an animal orphanage, a snake park, a zoo, apart from overlooking a 42-acre lake. It gets financial aid from the Central Zoo Authority. The planning mainly aims at giving the 16 types of animals a natural habitat in an enclosed area. Indigenous natural enclosures have been created for tigers, monkeys, sambar, bears and other animals. The white tiger, leopard, an assortment of wild cats, sloth bear, sambar, barking deer, black bucks, crocodiles and the Indian tortoise are among them. At least 2,500 to 3,000 people visit the zoo daily. This number goes up to 10,000-15,000 on weekends and holidays.
According to research, elephants are highly dependent on water. Water is imporatant not only for drinking, but also for their skin and to maintain general hygiene.