हिंदी
SAS Nagar, February 24, 2024
The authorities of Mahendra Chowdhry Zoological Park, Chhatbir have closed Deer Safari and are on high alert as one of Sambar Deer in Deer Safari tested positive for Foot and Mouth Disease (F.M.D) virus.
FMD virus is highly contagious and it affects ruminant animals like Cattle,
Buffalo, Deers and It spreads rapidly through air, animal to animal.
Field Director Mrs Kalpana K said that memories of last disease outbreak in 2018 are still alive in MCZP as there were several casualties in 2018. Having learnt from past experience, the Animal Management and Veterinary team were on high alert after some cases of suspected FMD were reported in Punjab. Few Sambars in Deer Safari were suspected to be having symptoms of FMD, so immediate strict bio-security measures and preventive protocol including closure of deer safari and other herbivores animals to visitors were taken, in order to contain the disease and to prevent further spread of disease outside the Deer Safari. Samples of animals with symptoms in deer safari were sent to IVRI Bareilly, which declared FMD as positive.
The veterinary team is treating the affected animals in Deer Safari and no death has been reported so far.
The zoo administration has also written to Animal Husbandry Department to ensure that standard protocol of treatment of Cattle, Buffalo in villages near zoo should be carried out along with vaccination in those areas so that further spread from village areas are arrested.
