Thirsty animals at Takeo zoo
ANIMALS at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre in Takeo province’s Trapaing Sap commune in Bati district are facing a shortage of drinking water in this dry season, despite it being distributed from other places to tackle the issue, the Forestry Administration said on Tuesday.
To protect and conserve the animals, it said, water has been pumped from the Tonle Bati river once a week and stored in a reservoir built in the zoo last year.
Forestry Administration spokesman Suon Sovann told The Post on Tuesday that the zoo has faced water shortages since early last month.
“It is not only the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre that is facing a water shortage. Other wildlife sanctuaries are also facing the same problem. Animals could get sick and die without water,” he said.
He said the centre has relied on funds from the government and partner organisations and proceeds from ticket sales to pay for food, medicines and water delivery for the animals.
Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre director Nhek Rattanak Pich could not be reached for comment.
Nhim Thy, a veterinarian at the centre, told The Post that the zoo faces a water shortage every year as water sources in the area become shallow.
He said the zoo relies on water delivered from the Tonle Bati river to be stored in its reservoir and small ponds in the area.
“No animal has died or become sick because of a shortage of water, but some have become a little skinny due to dehydration,” he said.