THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The animals in the city zoo are still living under the threat of virus infection. Chances are high for the spread of the canine distemper virus, which claimed the lives of four jackals in the city zoo and affected the remaining four. Realising the seriousness of situation, the zoo authorities approached the Forest Department for its approval for euthanasia. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R Raja Raja Varma confirmed to this paper that he had given permission. However, even after a week, the zoo authorities are yet to get an official confirmation to go ahead with the euthanasia.
Meanwhile, there was a change of guard in the Forest Department. Chief Wildlife Warden Raja Raja Varma took charge as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests six days ago. Some point to this change of post as the reason for the delay in giving nod to euthanasia.
The canine distemper virus is rare in animals other than stray dogs. A study on the effect of vaccines too has not been carried out so far. This put the zoo authorities in a dilemma over the ways to check the spread of the disease.
Though euthanasia will see the end of all jackals in the city zoo, it is the only way to check the spread of the disease to other animals. Also, the survival chance of animals infected with the canine distemper virus is bleak.
The disease spreads through the air. Though the infected animals in the zoo are still alive, they are carriers of the virus. The jackals are now kept in isolation. The other animals are being properly screened and the zoo authorities are taking all possible measures to check the spread of the virus.
The zoo authorities, after holding meetings with the officials of the Chief Disease Investigation Laboratory in Palode and the Departments of Animal Husbandry and Animal Disease Control, had decided to shift the infected animals to other locations. But fearing the spread of the disease to other animals, the authorities felt that euthanasia was the only way out.
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