Assam zoo looks into cub death

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The Telegraph

Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060314/asp/guwahati/story_5966016.asp

Guwahati,Tuesday, March 14, 2006

 

Assam zoo looks into cub death

A STAFF REPORTER

March 13: Assam state zoo authorities are investigating the death of

a lion cub which collapsed suddenly on Sunday evening.

 

Zoo divisional forest officer Narayan Mahanta said blood samples from

the cub had been sent to the College of Veterinary Sciences for

examination and the post-mortem report was awaited. With the cub's

death, the number of lions at the zoo has been reduced to 10.

 

The 14-month-old cub, Kusha, was one of the two cubs born to lions

rescued three years ago from a circus outside the city. " Kusha did

not show any signs of discomfort, " Mahanta said.

 

Health problems seem to be surfacing in Lava, the other cub, as well.

 

Sources said hybrid lions like these were unlikely to have a long

life span. They claimed this was a fact the Central Zoo Authority was

well aware of. They also said that life in the circus, which may have

allowed in-breeding, could have resulted in a deterioration in the

genetic quality of the animals.

 

Zoo officials said vaccination programmes to check the outbreak and

spread of diseases are carried out regularly. " There is nothing more

important than the health of the animals in the zoo and everything is

being done to keep it in order. We would like to make the place

disease-free, " an official said. He said steps have been taken to

ensure that there is no shortage of food or medicines.

 

This year, the mortality rate at the Assam zoo has dipped below 4 per

cent, which augurs well for a zoo as large as this one.

 

The state has also formed a health advisory committee to look into

every possible aspect of the animals' health. Health camps are

regularly held at the zoo to check on the animals as well as their

keepers.