Bracing for volcanic ash, Bandung Zoo moves animals into enclosed enclosures

Bandung Zoo is preparing to keep its animals indoors as volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau spreads across the Bandung metropolitan region. The zoo plans to install curtains, or possibly plastic sheeting, around cages to prevent the animals from inhaling ash.

Rohmat, a zoo official, said animals kept in display enclosures with nighttime cages may not be taken outside. Staff also plan to spray the cages and the zoo grounds.

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The animals in the display enclosures that have nighttime cages may not be taken out.

For now, the animals remain protected. Rohmat said the zoo's many trees appear to be filtering much of the ash, so its effects have not yet been strongly felt there. Mount Anak Krakatau has been erupting continuously since Sept. 4, sending ash toward western areas including West Java. Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has urged residents to stay alert and wear masks.

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At the moment, Bandung Zoo has not really felt much of the volcanic ash exposure.