Belagavi’s Kittur Rani Chennamma mini zoo grapples with crisis after string of blackbuck deaths

BELAGAVI: The Kittur Rani Chennamma mini zoo is grappling with a crisis as the death toll of blackbucks has risen to 31. The zoo authorities are working tirelessly to save the remaining seven blackbucks. The blackbucks were dying one after another, and the situation is grim.

Minister Sathish Jarkiholi held a meeting with forest officials on Monday to discuss the situation. In the meeting, the minister was informed that the blackbucks had contracted a bacterial infection. The minister directed officials to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease to other animals.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre stated that the deaths of the blackbucks were due to an HS bacterial infection. He assured that treatment is being provided and that officials are monitoring the situation. He also stated that measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease to other zoos.

Karnataka State Zoo Authority chairman Rangaswamy visited the zoo on Monday and inspected the area where the blackbucks were kept. He met with zoo officials and took stock of the situation. He stated that the infection could spread to other animals in the zoo and that the Bannerghatta National Park veterinary team should be stationed at the zoo to provide treatment. He also announced that permanent veterinary staff would be appointed to the Chennamma mini zoo.

Rangaswamy said, “This is a very said incident. I have taken charge recently, it’s not even a month. I am upset that such an incident has happened during my tenure. Whether this is a viral or bacterial infection will be known after we get a report. After we get the report, action will be taken against the officials responsible after discussing with the minister”.

However, despite four days passing, the post-mortem report is still awaited, and the exact cause of death is still unknown. The report was supposed to be sent on November 13, but it has not been received yet. The delay in receiving the report is causing uncertainty about the cause of death. There are concerns about the lack of veterinary staff in the zoo, which may have contributed to the deaths.

The zoo has been put on high alert, and measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease to other animals. The area where the blackbucks were kept has been isolated, and treatment is being provided to the remaining blacbucks.