A worker at the Nantong zoo disinfects a cage during the fight against the novel coronavirus. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Workers at the Nantong Zoo have been disinfecting cages more frequently than usual since the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

The zoo is home to over 300 animals and the animals are receiving good care. Zoo workers have to carry heavy buckets of disinfectant fluid for several hours every day, due to the stricter demands during this period.

Stronger than normal disinfectants are being used at the zoo, and workers have been asked to carefully wash their hands before and after they change protective clothing, give food to animals and doany cleaning.

Gu Hongwei, an animal keeper at the zoo, says he is busier than usual and is taking on more responsibilities during this Spring Festival period, though there are no visitors at the zoo because of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Data from Nantong's bureau of natural resources and planning show that 11,990 wild animals of 143 species in the city are being monitored and no abnormal case has been reported.