[IN - Bangalore] Foot-and-mouth diseases claims 3 lives at Bannerghatta

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http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/28/stories/2007102862190300.htm

 

 

BANGALORE: The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) is facing an unprecedented

crisis with the foot-and-mouth disease claiming the lives of two mithuns and

a blackbuck. Moreover, in an unrelated incident, a six-year-old lion was

found dead in its animal rescue centre on Saturday.

 

According to Assistant Veterinary Officer of the park, G.K. Vishwanath, the

lion, which was born in the park, had been unwell for nearly three months

and its carcass had been sent to the Institute of Animal Health and

Veterinary Biologicals (IAHVB) " to know whether it died of cancer or

tuberculosis " .

 

But the bigger worry is the foot-and-mouth disease which has hit the park

for the first time. As a precautionary measure, the authorities have decided

to close the herbivore safari to prevent the spread of the disease that is

caused by an airborne virus.

 

The Jungle Lodges and Resorts' Bannerghatta Nature Camp will close its

operations from Monday, K.B. Markandaiah, executive director of the park

said.

 

The blackbuck's death on Saturday follows that of the mithun, a wild breed

of cattle native to the North-East of the country.

 

Nine blackbucks and some spotted deer were in the enclosures adjacent to

that of the mithuns.

 

Suspecting infection, the zoo authorities have shifted the remaining deer to

the Bannerghatta Rescue Centre, which is run jointly by the Forest

Department and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action.

 

" This is to prevent the spread of disease to other animals, " Mr. Markandaiah

said.

 

On October 21, an eight-year-old mithun was found dead in its enclosure.

Four days later, another one, a three-year-old, died. The IAHVB confirmed

that they had died of the foot-and-mouth disease, whose incubation period is

15 days.

Steps taken

 

The park personnel have started spraying disinfectants around the

enclosures. Vehicles have been banned inside the zoo and visitors on foot

will have to step on water containing disinfectants before entering the zoo.

Captive elephants in the zoo have been vaccinated, according to Dr.

Vishwanath.

 

The zoo authorities have stopped procuring grass from outside. The animal

keepers have been asked to change their dress before entering the zoo and

the safari. " We are trying our best to prevent the outbreak of the virus in

the safari and the forest, " Dr. Vishwanath added.

 

Mithun are susceptible to the foot-and-mouth disease which generally infects

cattle. " Three months ago, some mithuns died in the Thiruvananthapuram zoo,

forcing the authorities to close it for a month, " Dr. Vishwanath said. The

virus is active during rains.

 

" Once there is sunshine it is deactivated. "

 

The Bannerghatta park authorities are mystified over the origin of the

disease here. The Forest Department has asked the Animal Husbandry

Department to vaccinate the cattle, which are found to be carriers of the

disease.

 

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) I.B. Srivastava said the

Animal Husbandry Department would undertake vaccination in about 25 village

surrounding the biological park and the Bannerghatta National Park.

" Instructions have been given to forest guards and watchers to prevent

grazing of cattle in the area, " he said.

Camp closed

 

Sources in the Bannerghatta Nature Camp operated by Jungle Lodges and

Resorts (JLR) said that the 15 guests camping on the property will check out

on Sunday morning.

 

The decision on its reopening will be taken after assessing the situation.

 

" Many individual and corporate groups that had booked accommodation in the

nature camp have been requested to take back their money. It is not a

panicky situation… only a precautionary measure, which has been appreciated

by our guests, " sources said.

 

 

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