Wild weather wreaks havoc at Thrissur zoo

A huge tree which was uprooted at Thrissur zoo in the torrential rain and strong wind on Tuesday night.
| Photo Credit: K.K. NAJEEB

The rainstorm that lashed Thrissur on Tuesday night left a trail of destruction at the city’s zoo and sent animals into panic. Massive trees were uprooted and came crashing down, damaging fences, compound walls, and enclosures. No animal was injured.

As it is vacation time, the zoo has been witnessing heavy rush these days. However, a tragedy was averted as the storm struck at night. One large tree, located inside the enclosure of deer, crashed into the adjacent Kollengode Palace compound breaking through the compound wall of the zoo. Another tree fell into a pond in the hippopotamus enclosure, completely covering it.

Zoo officials immediately relocated the animals to safer enclosures and began clean-up operations. Temporary visitor restrictions were put in place across several sections of the zoo as a precaution. Areas where branches had fallen on children’s parks were also cordoned off.

Superintendent T.V. Anilkumar stated that safety measures had already been initiated well in advance of the monsoon season, including the pre-emptive removal of risky tree limbs. Fallen trees have now been cleared, and restricted zones are being reopened to visitors in a phased manner.