Tamil Nadu Forest Department has expedited contingency measures to save wild animals from the prevailing drought conditions. While, mineral supplements and antibiotics are given to the animals to save them from dying of heat and exhaustion, forest guards are constantly on the watch out to prevent any outbreak of wildfire, said District Forest Officer Ramasubramaniam.
As many as 7 waterholes are created in each of the seven ranges with 5,000 to 10,000-litre capacity and antibiotics are mixed with waters as it would prevent wild animals contracting heat-related infections and diseases. Mineral supplement bars are also kept near these waterholes to prevent heat exhaustion of animals and keep them in good health.
Vaccination of domestic cattle is taken up in the villages in the forest fringe areas as these cattle are grazing in the forest areas and wild animals might catch anthrax and other diseases from the domestic cattle.
Forest watchers are keeping a close guard to prevent any outbreak of forest fires.