And then there were none: Why are zebras dying in Odisha's Nandankanan Zoo?

BHUBANESWAR: The last of the four zebras which Nandankanan Zoo had received from Israel was found dead in its enclosure on Monday morning. It was a male.

In 2015, the City zoo had received the two pairs of zebras from Tel Aviv Zoo. Two females died in April and October last year. Another male died earlier in May. Initially, the zoo officials said it may have been killed by lightning. However, a ground verification found no trace of lightning strikes. Later, post mortem report suggested that the male had died of toxaemia (or blood poisoning) caused by clostridial infection.

The fact remains that zebras have a jinxed time at Nandankanan Zoo. At least eight zebras have died in the zoo in last four to five years. The first group of four had also died without giving the zoo officials any warning. The second group, brought from Israel, perished in a similar manner.

WATCH VIDEO | Why are zebras dying at Odisha's Nandankanan Zoo?

So far, the zoo officials have not been able to establish the exact cause though spore forming bacterial infection are believed to be the reason. The clostridial bacteria which reside dormant in the soil find their way into animals and affect their entire system.

“The male zebra was last sighted moving in its enclosure at about 10 pm. It was normal and had no problems in its food habits,” Zoo director Sisir Acharya said. The blood and tissue samples of the zebra will be sent to four labs across the country to ascertain the strain responsible for the deaths. “We may as well have to stop using that enclosure for the time being,” he said adding that since the zebras were brought from Israel, there is a possibility they could not sustain the new atmosphere.

Acharya also believes that water contamination could be a cause. The zoo sources its water supply from Kanjia lake which has been blocked by encroachments at one end, which the Director says has intensified contamination. “Although water is chlorinated, it is not exactly helping the animals. We have to ensure free flow of fresh water into the lake which will be possible only when the encroachments are removed,” Acharya said.

The Zoo had requested the District Collector for an eviction drive but has not materialised yet.
Another reason for the death is suspected to be Babesiosis. Acharya said, wolves and jackals are carrier of the babesia, the bacteria that infects the red blood cells.

Reasons unknown

● At least eight zebras have died in the zoo in the last four to five years
● First group of four had also died without giving the zoo officials any warning
● Second group, brought from Israel, perished in a similar manner
● Nandankanan had received the two pairs of zebras from Tel Aviv Zoo in 2015
● Two females died in April and October last year. Another male died earlier in May