Deadly Bacterial Infection Kills 31 Blackbucks at Karnataka's Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo: Government Orders Investigation

Belagavi:

A devastating bacterial infection has claimed the lives of thirty-one blackbucks within just four days at Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed on Monday.

The tragic incident has reduced the zoo's blackbuck population to merely seven individuals, prompting the government to launch a high-level investigation into the matter.

According to zoo sources, eight antelopes succumbed on Thursday, followed by a dramatic spike with twenty more deaths reported on Saturday.

An additional three blackbucks died at the facility during the subsequent two days.

Minister Khandre visited Belagavi and conducted a meeting with zoo officials to address the crisis.

In his statement to reporters, Khandre expressed "deep pain" regarding the deaths and ordered a thorough inquiry to identify both the source and transmission pattern of the disease affecting these protected animals.

"Initial findings indicate that the blackbucks died due to bacterial infection. Our officers and veterinary doctors are actively providing treatment," he explained.

The Minister emphasized that comprehensive precautionary measures are being implemented to prevent the disease from spreading to other zoological parks.

"I have commissioned a high-level investigation to determine how this disease spread among the blackbucks. We have dispatched experts from Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru, and our officials are consulting with specialists in this field," Khandre added.

He further stated that he has issued directives to protect the remaining blackbucks and has instructed officials to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future.

Drawing a parallel between the bacterial outbreak among blackbucks and COVID-19, the Minister noted that such disease emergencies remain unpredictable despite precautions.