Binkadakatti Zoo shut to contain deadly bacterial disease

Pic: Pic: At Binkadakatti zoo, action is being taken to disinfect the zoo area as part of quarantine measuresGadag: The sudden action and presence of mind of the Binkadakatti zoo staff is now helping the forest and zoo authorities save and protect animals from the deadly Hemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), a fatal bacterial disease.
A few days ago, several spotted deer and blackbuck were found dead due to HS in Belagavi and Davanagere zoo, respectively.A 4-year-old nilgai died in Binkadakatti zoo on Feb 3 evening, and the veterinarians of the zoo suspected that it may have died of HS. However, the zoo staff did not take any chances and initiated immediate action without waiting for the final autopsy report the next day. The zoo took some immediate measures, such as quarantine and disinfecting the enclosures, to ensure the safety of other animals in the zoo, and shut the zoo to the public.Their suspicion became a reality when they got the final autopsy report citing that the death of the nilgai was due to HS. Meanwhile, they are confident of containing the spread of bacterial disease since they took immediate measures.Sneha Koppal, range forest officer and in charge of Binkadakatti zoo, told TOI that initially, they closed the zoo for a 7-day quarantine, but extended it up to 21 days. "The zoo will be shut until Feb 26. After reviewing the situation, we will take a decision on opening the zoo," she said."HS bacterial diseases will spread and infect herbivore animals, and we are now focusing more on protecting herbivore animals. There are more than 90 blackbucks, 7 sambar deer, 43 nilgai, and more than 60 spotted deer, and other animals which are vulnerable HS. We followed the quarantine guidelines and implemented the same as per the suggestions given by the emergency health advisory committee, which consists of DCF, CCF, vet doctors, and other persons, she pointed out.She said that we quarantined the enclosures of all herbivore animals by closing them with green shade net and taking steps to disinfect the entire area. Our staff in the zoo are also observing the behaviour of the animals, body temperatures, and picking up the animals which are dull and showing sickness and other symptoms for the random check-up.She pointed out that nearly 300-350 tourists would visit the zoo daily, which increases during holidays and weekends. "As summer sets in, the number of visitors to the zoo usually goes up. If the situation comes under control, then we will decide whether to open the zoo after Feb 27. The zoo, which spreads on 40 acres of land, has 5 leopards, 4 lions, 2 tigers, grey wolf, sloth bears, Bengal fox, and other animals," she said.