The 23 animal species at the Cebu City Zoo have been given water mixed with dextrose powder to ensure they do not get dehydrated from the summer heat, said zoo manager Giovanni Romarate.
Romarate said they also bath the mammals and reptiles in the facility at least three times a day to relieve them from the scorching summer heat.
“Wala pa man gyud sila na unsa pero makit-an namo nga nagka anam sila ug kaluya sa grabeng ka init,” he told Cebu Daily News.
(The animals are still healthy, but we have noticed that they have become listless from the heat.)
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Agency (Pagasa) recorded a 33.6 degrees Celsius temperature in Cebu City at about 2:15 p.m. on Black Saturday, the highest so far for this year.
Yesterday’s temperature was at 32 degrees Celsius.
Based on Pagasa’s records, Cebu’s highest temperature was 36.4°C during an El Niño period on May 30, 1979.
Pagasa said that the country is experiencing a weak El Niño this year.
Oscar Tabada, chief of Pagasa-Visayas said the temperature started rising in February and is expected to reach 34°C this month.
“We already observed the blistering temperature. We are expecting the effects of El Niño to be more felt during the months of April and May,” he said.
Romarate said he noticed zoo animals getting weak because of the heat in late February.
He then directed zoo keepers to bath the animals, especially the reptiles, at least three times a day, instead of just once a day to keep them invigorated.
Romarate added the water used to bathe the animals is recycled by watering plants and trees within the premises to keep them green and on their walkways to keep down the dust.
During the early part of March, he also purchased soluble dextrose at P200 per pack to add to the animals water for their rehydration.
The soluble dextrose is in addition to the multi-vitamins that they give zoo animals on a daily basis, he said.
“Ni palit lang usa mi ug amo. Wala pa mi mangayo ug tabang sa City Agriculture Office. Unya na ug dili na namo ma kaya (We have bought our own supply. We have not yet asked the assistance of the City Agriculture Office),” Romarate added.