Laboratory Confirms Infectious Disease Caused Deer Deaths at Davanagere Zoo
Authorities in Davanagere have received confirmation from a laboratory investigation that haemorrhagic septicemia, a serious infectious disease, was responsible for the tragic death of four spotted deer at the Indira Priyadarshini Mini Zoo in the taluk. The incident has raised concerns about animal health management in the region.
Timeline of Events and Laboratory Analysis
The deer fatalities occurred between January 16 and January 18, prompting immediate action from forest department officials. Following the deaths, samples from the carcasses were carefully collected and sent to the Animal Health and Biological Institute laboratory in Hebbal, Bengaluru, for detailed analysis.
The laboratory report, which was officially received by forest department officials on Wednesday, conclusively identified the presence of the infectious disease. This confirmation has provided crucial insights into the cause of the outbreak.
Official Response and Ongoing Treatment Measures
Deputy forest conservator PN Harshavardhan addressed the situation, stating that the report confirmed the infectious nature of the disease. He emphasized that treatment of the remaining deer is currently ongoing, based on the symptoms observed in the animals.
To ensure effective management, a dedicated veterinary team has been deployed at the zoo. Their primary focus is to monitor the health of the surviving deer and implement necessary medical interventions to prevent further spread of the disease.
Safety of Water and Food Supplies Confirmed
In addition to testing the deer samples, the laboratory also conducted thorough analyses of the water and food provided to the animals at the zoo. The results confirmed that both the water and feed were safe, ruling out contamination as a contributing factor to the deaths.
Samples of water and feed, along with those from the deer carcasses, were subjected to comprehensive testing. This multi-faceted approach has helped authorities narrow down the cause to the infectious disease itself, rather than external environmental factors.
The forest department continues to work closely with veterinary experts to manage the situation and ensure the well-being of all animals at the Indira Priyadarshini Mini Zoo.
