Due to continuous intense heat, animals are not at ease along with humans. Hundreds of deer in Rajshahi’s Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo are sweltering in the heat.
The authorities say that a separate shed with a roof has been provided inside the deer shed to protect it from the sun. Deer are doing well sheltering there during the sun.
On the surface, it was seen that the entire area of the deer shed was exposed to strong sunlight. Inside there is a vertical shed at the west end. However, this east-facing shed gets sunshine almost all day. The sun makes it difficult for deer to stay there. Another rounded new shade has been added to the mask. Its roof is made of tin. As a result, the deer have to take shelter in the shade under the heat. The inner part is empty like a dhu dhu field. Trees have no shade. Only one small tree was seen inside. Deer cannot take shelter under it. As a result, in this heat, the deer are in a terrible condition.
Even drinking water during intense heat does not provide relief. Inside the shed, the authorities have built a concrete round drinking area. But it also fell into the sun. As a result, this water becomes hot as the day progresses. In the current situation, the zoo authorities keep the pump running all the time to keep the water cool. As the water pump is running all the time, the excess water overflows and drains away through a drain.
This zoo managed by Rajshahi City Corporation once housed various animals including tigers, lions, pythons, monkeys, Hanuman, peacocks, donkeys, myna, tias, baboons. It gradually decreases. When the zoo was closed during Corona, the development work started inside. After that the animals other than deer, two pond gharials, pigeons, and some birds were donated to various zoos and parks. Besides, some animals are sold. Some are exposed. Now inside the place of animal and bird cages, food stalls are being made.
At present the zoo has only 120 deer, two gharials, some pigeons and birds. Due to the intense heat, the two gharials are not coming to the surface of the water. Pigeons and birds are housed in cages surrounding the entire pond. The place surrounded by shadows is cold. But the deer are in trouble.
However, zoo supervisor Shariful Islam claimed that no deer fell ill due to heat. He said, ‘We have a veterinary surgeon. He comes occasionally for health checks. No deer were seen sick. All are well.’
Veterinary surgeon Dr. Farhad Hossain said, ‘In this summer, roofed sheds have been built to keep the deer healthy. Trees have also been planted inside to provide shade. But the tree has not grown yet. Benefits will be available if the tree is big. Sufficient cooling water is provided to keep the deer healthy even in hot weather. So far no problems have been seen.’
According to the Meteorological Office, the maximum temperature of Rajshahi rose to 40.2 degrees Celsius last Sunday. It dipped to 39.2 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Then on Friday, the temperature rose to 41 degrees Celsius. The next day, Saturday and Sunday, the temperature went up to 41.5 degrees Celsius. The temperature dropped slightly to 39.8 degrees Celsius on Monday.
