Considering the increase in number of animals and going by the norms of the Central Zoological Authority (CZA) and diet chart of the Aringar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur, the Coimbatore Corporation Zoo has revised its diet chart by incorporating food items that will help animals beat the summer heat.

A healthy habitat has resulted in captive breeding getting a boost at the Zoo and in the last one year alone there had been 85 new additions to the number of animals. The Corporation Zoo in an area of 4.5 acres at VOC Park as on date has nearly 42 species and over 600 in number. There are 23 species of birds, 8 reptiles and 11 mammals .

Ever since the Emu scam emerged, as many as 22 Emu birds have also been brought to the zoo, says K. Asokan, a Veterinarian and Director of the Corporation Zoo. Primary focus in revision of chart was in terms of the quantity of the feed and also bringing in some nutritious fruit varieties.

The total number of items on diet chart runs to 37, besides ice cubes for the monkeys and camel.

To ensure that the diet is balanced, the Zoo has included salt and mineral mixture as well as sun flower seeds, greens, fish, beef, poultry chicks and mixed poultry feed. Mr. Asokan said.