Anthrax ruled out as cause of 4 rhino deaths

Jalpaiguri: The forest department has ruled out anthrax as the cause of four rhino deaths at Jaldapara national park last week. “We sent viscera samples to Belgachhia lab and a private lab. The results were negative for anthrax,” a senior forester said.

The department has, however, stopped elephant safari in the park till Thursday to keep a watch on kunki elephants vaccinated over fears of an anthrax outbreak.

“The department needs to identify the disease and take measures at the earliest,” said environmentalist Shyama Prasad Pandey of Society for Protecting Ophiofauna and Animal Rights.