28 blackbucks die at Belagavi zoo, Forest Minister orders probe

Twenty eight blackbucks have died under mysterious circumstances in the Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo here in the past three days, a zoo official said on Saturday.

The zoo had 38 blackbucks, of which 28 have died, which has alarmed the authorities.

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwra Khandre has ordered a probe into the deaths. He expressed concern over the deaths.

According to the Assistant Conservator of Forest Nagaraj Balhasuri, eight blackbucks died two days ago while 20 died on Saturday.

He said the veterinary doctor at the zoo suspected that they died due to a bacterial infection though actual cause is yet to be ascertained.

"We have sent the viscera sample to the authorities at Bannerghatta Zoological Park in Bengaluru to find out the reason behind the death," Bale told reporters.

The Forest Minister said in a statement that preliminary reports indicate that these deer died of an infectious disease, and all precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any other animal in the zoo from getting infected.

An expert committee should be formed to investigate whether these deaths were caused due to the consumption of contaminated water and food or whether the disease was spread by domestic animals such as cats and appropriate action should be taken, he said.

“It is a matter of concern that animals in the zoo are dying in this way. Such incidents should not recur in the future and that appropriate action should be taken as per the rules in case of negligence on the part of the staff,” he said.

He warned that action will be taken if it is found that they died due to negligence of the zoo staff.