As India sizzles through a summer heat wave, zoo officials in India's eastern Jamshedpur city are making special arrangements to protect the animals at Tata Steel Zoological Park from the rising mercury.

[Viful Chakarvarti, Director of Tata Steel Zoo]: 
"With the onset of summer, you see the temperature going up day by day and it gets to 45-degrees Celsius and so the animals are in a lot of trouble. We are providing many facilities for the animals…"

Shades are being placed over cages of animals and water sprayed over them to keep them cool.

Coolers have also been placed in front of the cages for animals like tigers, lions and leopards.

To avoid dehydration, the animals are receiving diet supplements and medicine under the vet's supervision.

[Manik Palit, Doctor]:
"Big animals like lions and tigers are very sensitive and they are meat eaters. When it gets this hot they eat less food, so to supplement that we are giving them electrolytes, glucose, and vitamins. We have also changed the timing of their meals and are now giving them food in the evening instead of in the morning. We have also set up shelters and put coolers in each enclosure for the animals."

Visitors to the zoo appreciate the zoo’s efforts for the animal’s welfare although they probably wouldn’t mind some of that water and shade themselves.