Tata Steel Zoological Park has drawn up an elaborate action plan to counter the challenges monsoon will pose in the days to come.

The zoo authorities have created two separate disaster management teams to tackle any eventuality and execute rescue operations for around 400 animals.

Zoo director Bipul Chakravarty said he has already approved the monsoon action plan.

A tiger cools itself inside Tata Steel Zoological Park in Jamshedpur Bhola Prasad

“Two teams have been formed under the supervision of vet Manik Palit and curator Sanjay Mahto. We are very alert when it comes to protecting our animals during monsoon,” he added.

The plan is ready and is expected to be implemented from next week onwards, until the end of the rainy season.

Refurbishing boats, cleaning drains inside the zoo to counter flooding, and arranging a host of safety measures are some of the key components of the plan.

Water from the nearby Subarnarekha often floods the zoo during monsoon, where three Gangetic gharials and a crocodile were washed away in the floods 12 years ago.

An official said rescue materials such as inflatable tubes, life jackets, capture nets, torches and umbrellas have been arranged. Refilling of zoo vehicles is also part fof the plan, and adequate medicines and saline have been stocked up.

“To prevent fatal jolts, power supply will be disconnected and appliances such as flycatchers and coolers will be kept at the store room,” the official said, adding drains along sloth bear and hog deer have almost been cleaned to prevent water-logging and gate valve of outlet drain of hippopotamus enclosure will also be replaced.

The boundary wall of the zoo will also be monitored twice a day. ‘Dos and don’ts’ signs will also come up at low-lying areas like leopard and tiger enclosures, nature trail and the aquarium house.

Benches and dustbins will be anchored on higher ground while exhaust fans and desert coolers will be transferred to the zoo hospital for safekeeping.