Hyderabad, Oct 6 (IANS): An inpatient facility for sick animals was launched on Tuesday at Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) here as part of Wildlife Week celebrations.

The event also coincided with 57th Zoo day. Telangana's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and AChief Wildlife Warden R.Sobha inaugurated the newly built inpatient facility at the Zoo hospital area. This facility comprises animal enclosures for the sick animals undergoing treatment .

She also inaugurated the White Tiger Enclosure and Delivery room. On this occasion the KVS Babu Excellent Zoo service awards were presented to animal keeper K.P.Prem Kumar, gardener B.Rajender, Mali and electrician D.Narender for their excellent services for the year 2019-20.

The Zoo annual report was released by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. She said that all the zoo staff worked very hard in this pandemic season to upkeep the health of the wild animals and kept the zoo very clean and tidy. She congratulated all the staff members on the occasion of Zoo's 57th anniversary.

The Zoo was Tuesday reopened to visitors after nearly seven months, duly following all the Covid-19 precautionary measures. Zoo officials said visitors were checked with thermal scanning before being allowed into the Zoo. Wearing of masks has been made mandatory.

Nearly 40 sanitizer dispensers were installed at different locations. All the wash rooms are sanitized and soap dispensers have been placed. Battery Operated vehicles and toy train facilities were also made available with 50 per occupancy. Signage boards have been placed at different locations for the visitor informing the Covid-19 protocol.

According to Zoo authorities, 1,137 visitors visited the Zoo park on the first day of reopening.