Karnataka - Mysore   

Dance of death at the zoo

Special Correspondent

The series of animal deaths has brought into focus the `enemy within'

MYSORE: The crime perpetrated on animals in Mysore zoo has brought into sharp focus the "enemy within."

The recent death of white tigress Smitha due to poisoning and the series of animal deaths, including the killing of three elephants Ganesha, Roopa and Komala in quick succession last year are just a few instances that have been played out in the zoo.

Sources admitted that there were a few disgruntled elements in the zoo who perpetuating crimes on the animals as an act of vendetta against the officials. "We do not know what grouse they have against us but it is utterly shameful that a few of them could stoop to such despicable levels and take it out on the hapless animals and bring disrepute to such a prestigious institution which is one of the best in the country," the sources said.

While it is not clear who these disgruntled elements are and the reasons that motivate them to perpetuate the crime, sources said the zoo authorities had become to act tough on various sources of income and expenditure and made it transparent and this could be weighing heavily on the minds of a section of the employees.

Executive Director of Mysore zoo Manoj Kumar told The Hindu that he had no clue how a section of the employees could siphon off money meant for the zoo in the past. But over the last few years procuring animal feed and rationing them had been made transparent and there was vigilance to curb any malpractice.

The Mysore zoo incurs Rs. 85 lakhs towards animal feed every year and the process had been made transparent with closed circuit cameras installed at vantage points to keep an eye at various stages of its preparation and distribution to animals. This, sources said, had eliminated the possibility of siphoning off funds meant for animal maintenance and it was intriguing that the series of animal deaths had surfaced soon after the new system was put in place.

Outsiders' hand?

While the sources expressed fears that a few outside elements could have been roped in by the disgruntled employees and smuggled in poisoned meat that claimed Smitha's life, Mr. Manoj Kumar discounted the possibility.

He pointed out that security outside the zoo was tight and people were frisked and their bags checked.

No sane person would dare drop a piece of meat in full view of hundreds of visitors and even if they did, Smitha's three cubs which were playing in the same cage would have pounced on the meat and met with the same fate as their mother.

Pressure on police

As the grisly dance of death is played out in the silence of the chilly nights and the animals continue to fall dead under "mysterious circumstances," the police are under pressure to bring the culprits to book.

The death of Smithais the latest in the series of animal deaths that has come to haunt the zoo authorities and the public.

Earlier, Lingam, a lioned-tailed macaque, and three elephants, including Komala which was to have flown to Armenia, were poisoned to death following which there was a hue and cry.

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