Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Expert calls for closure of zoo

Photo: S. Mahinsha

UNDER SCRUTINY: D. Swaroop, head of the medicine division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, who visited the city zoo on Monday to study the foot and mouth disease.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city zoo should be kept closed to visitors for three to four weeks to allow for the complete elimination of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus that has claimed the lives of many animals, head of the medicine division Indian Veterinary Research Institute D. Swaroop said here on Monday.

He was speaking to presspersons during an inspection of various animal enclosures at the zoo. It can now be said that the FMD virus is under control; otherwise there would have been more deaths of animals. Resorting to vaccinating animals against the virus can only have so much of an impact. The very act of giving vaccines can cause stress in the animals. Better animal management and greater stress on the hygiene front are what can help the zoo tide over the present situation.

The FMD virus could have come into the zoo through people or through vehicles used for transporting fodder or construction material. The virus is highly sensitive to high temperature change in PH values. After infecting an animal the virus can stay active in the environment for up to a month, he said. “I will hold a meeting with the zoo director and other officials and give a report containing recommendations on what the zoo should do immediately,” he said.

Earlier, during his interaction with zoo officials, Dr. Swaroop said the zoo should not think of bringing in animals such as mithun and wild boar. Officials from the animal husbandry department told Dr. Swaroop that there was “pressure from various quarters” for the speedy reopening of the zoo in view of the Onam season.

The veterinary expert was shown the cape buffalo and the deer that have been infected with the FMD virus. Earlier, he was shown a powerpoint presentation on the incidence and spread of the FMD virus in the zoo.

Zoo director Elcy George and director, animal husbandry department, Vijayakumar, were among those present.

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