Chilly winters can really be inconvenient often due to a persistent spell of drowsiness which turns up every morning, making you struggle to get out of the blanket. More so, if you forget your jacket just once while going out, you will definitely catch a runny nose the next morning (yep, we know it too). This is why we are required to take dozens of precautions with the onset of the season.

The winter tide not only calls for adaptation among humans but also for the animals at the zoo (the poor critters will obviously be unable to light up bonfires). Taking this into account, the authorities at Lucknow's Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden have started taking precautionary measures to safeguard animals from the cold spell.

Under the special arrangements, several enclosures have been covered using tarpaulin and plastic sheets to prevent cross-ventilation through the chilly winds. Along with these larger enclosures, housing deers and several carnivores have been equipped with wood plank flooring and para grass which will allow better insulation of heat.

Thick curtains have been hung in some of the birds' enclosures while the primates including monkeys and chimpanzees have been given blankets to safeguard them from the cold breeze.

Heaters have been installed in the serpentarium of the zoo to prevent the cold-blooded species i.e. snakes from the adverse effects of the season. Furthermore, the zoo authorities will equip additional heaters in some of the carnivore and primate enclosures in case the temperature happens to plummet further.

Multiple species residing inside the zoo are from foreign habitats making them inflexible to the changing of the weather. Due to this, the zoo authorities are incorporating special nutrient-rich varieties of food in the diet of animals and birds which will help in regulating their body temperatures during the cold season.

Reportedly, vitamin and mineral content has been increased in the diets of all the animals including the incorporation of peanuts, groundnuts and mustard seeds in the diets of deer. Coarse grains like bajra, jowar and grams have been added to the bird feed while Gruiformes such as cranes are being fed with an additional diet of fish. The zoo is also serving boiled eggs to the primates along with the addition of seasonal fruits and vegetables in their meals.

The bears in the zoo are also being served special 'kheer' made with jaggery to keep them warm during the season.

The zoo houses more than 1,000 animals including birds, carnivores, reptiles, primates etc. Most of the species could be quite susceptible to the temperature drops which are still ahead of us. Keeping this in mind, the zoo also established a critical care unit in case animals fall sick and require medical attention.

Also, you can contribute by providing alms for the maintenance of the animals at the zoo under a special adoption scheme. And in turn, Lucknow zoo will display your name outside the enclosure of the animal you choose to adopt. Find out more about it below.