The soaring temperature this summer has prompted authorities of the Bengal Safari Park, on the outskirts of Siliguri, to take steps so that the wild animals who reside in the park can beat the heat and stay in good health.

On Thursday, the mercury rose to 36°C in Siliguri.

Measures include installing coolers in enclosures and crawls, putting large chunks of ice which the animals can lick and providing solutions to keep them hydrated. Added to it, water sprinklers are being used regularly to give the animals a bath.

“We have Shila, the female royal Bengal tiger, and her four cubs at the enclosure here. Three coolers were placed in her enclosure and in the crawls. Also, ice chunks have been put in place so that the mother and its cubs can lick them,” said Rahuldev Mukherjee, assistant director of the park.

He said that they are providing oral rehydration solution (ORS) in the enclosures of carnivores and herbivores, especially during the daytime.

The park authorities have also appointed a senior wildlife expert as an assistant zoo supervisor to check if the animals are comfortable during the scorching daytime.

“Water sprinklers are regularly used on the royal Bengal tigers, leopards and the Asiatic black bear. We are also in communication with experts of the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (of Darjeeling) for solutions to keep the animals in comfort,” Mukherjee added.

To ensure that there is an adequate supply of water of proper quality, the park authorities are taking help from the state public health engineering department.

“We are also ensuring that water bodies and the sludge where these animals cool off do not dry up,” the official said.

An additional pond has been dug in the rhino enclosure. Also, water is being provided in a natural spring which dries during summer as the pet elephants of the park take baths in it, said sources.