Bandung Zoo Prepares Curtains and Animal Isolation Amid Volcanic Ash
Bandung Zoo has carried out a number of mitigation measures to protect its animals from the impact of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.
Rohmat, one of the managers of Bandung Zoo, said one of the protective measures involves placing animals in closed enclosures (isolation) to avoid exposure to the ash.
“There may be some animals, those in display enclosures that have night quarters, that will perhaps not be brought out. So they may spend some time in their sleeping quarters or holding areas, and they will also eat and drink there,” said Rohmat when contacted on Monday (7 September).
In addition, Rohmat said Bandung Zoo will install curtains to cover enclosures that do not have closed rooms.
“As for bird species, if the volcanic ash exceeds our threshold, we will cover them using various methods, such as curtains or perhaps plastic sheeting,” he said.
Another mitigation measure is spraying the enclosures and the zoo grounds.
“Spraying has not been carried out yet. For now, we are continuing our usual safety protocols, and spraying will be done for certain enclosures,” he said.
Rohmat said that, to date, the animals at Bandung Zoo remain protected from volcanic ash exposure thanks to the many trees surrounding the enclosures.
“So far, Bandung Zoo has not really felt the effects of the volcanic ash. Because there are many trees here, much of it is probably being filtered by the foliage. I have also seen that several trees still look green, and there is no ash flying about yet,” he said.
The mitigation measures for ash from Mount Anak Krakatau are being implemented based on monitoring by the animal keepers. If volcanic ash reaches the zoo grounds, Bandung Zoo will apply the measures it has prepared.
Previously, the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK), which has been erupting since Friday night (4 September), was recorded as reaching Jakarta, Lampung and West Java by Monday (7 September).
According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) on Monday at 04.00 WIB, volcanic ash was detected spreading in different directions.
“Volcanic ash was observed moving away from the peak of Mount Anak Krakatau, detected at two altitude layers with different directions of dispersal,” the BMKG report stated on Monday morning (7 September).
Dispersion 1, in the Lower Layer (surface to 15,000 feet/4.57 km), moved towards the southeast to northwest, covering parts of Jakarta, Banten, Lampung, West Java and surrounding areas.
“At this altitude, the ash dispersion has the potential to affect air quality and visibility in affected areas,” the BMKG report said.
Meanwhile, Dispersion 2, in the Upper Layer (surface to 50,000 ft/15.24 km), moved towards the southwest to west, covering the Indian Ocean to the west and southwest of Bengkulu, Lampung and Banten.
“At this altitude, the ash dispersion mainly impacts aviation, as it lies within flight paths,” the BMKG added.
Furthermore, the dispersion of volcanic ash on Monday morning was expected to spread further westward.