The Hindu : New Delhi News : Lions endangered at Delhi Zoo?

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Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Lions endangered at Delhi Zoo?

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Six Asiatic lions, including a lioness and four cubs, have died in the past two months

NEW DELHI: Delhi Zoo has lost six Asiatic lions in the past two months, including a lioness and four newborn cubs housed in the same enclosure. According to the Zoo authorities, four newborn cubs died during July. While two were stillborn, the other two were weak and did not survive. An eight-year-old lion died on August 8 followed by the death of a two-year-old lioness on August 12.

Maintaining that there was no cause for alarm, the Zoo authorities attributed the death of the lion to "unknown viral infection'', while the lioness died of heart failure. "The cubs were too weak to survive,'' said Zoo Director D. N. Singh.

Refuting claims about the spread of a viral infection, a health official at the Zoo said as a precautionary measure enclosure No. 14 had been blow-lamped after disinfecting. All the other lions housed in the enclosure -- a female lioness and her two cubs -- were shifted out. And while the lioness has now been put back in the enclosure, the cubs are still housed at the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Giving details, a Zoo official said the deaths had occurred over a period of two months. To ascertain the exact cause of death, samples have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) at Bareilly.

Speaking about a possible viral infection, Mr. Singh said: "It is not an unusual or an alarming situation. The two cubs born in July were stillborn. The other two were very weak and despite our best effort we could not save them. The Zoo had also sent the sample of the eight-year-old lion to Dr. Lal's Path Lab, Delhi, which pointed to the fact that the lion had died of unknown viral infection. The two-year-old lioness, however, died of a heart attack. We are also awaiting reports from IVRI. All precautionary measures are being taken to keep the other animals safe.''

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