Punjab: Chhatbir zoo put on high alert

Barinderjit Saluja | TNN | Apr 7, 2020, 06:32 IST

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MOHALI: In the wake of confirmation of Covid-19 in a tiger in Bronx Zoo of New York, the US, Central Zoo Authority on Monday wrote to zoos across the country, asking them to remain alert and put animals under 24x7 surveillance.
Chhatbir zoo, along with three other small zoos across Punjab, have been put on red alert, said Kuldeep Kumar, chief conservator - wildlife and forests.
He said, "I have already spoken to all the officers in charge of zoo and instructed them to keep strict vigil in this regard. There should be no human-animal close contact and only authorised animal attendants should be visiting animal houses. We are to ensure safety of not only big cats but also other precious wildlife present in the zoo."
Kuldeep Kumar said directions have been issued that all the dedicated zookeepers would remain inside the zoo premises where they would be provided with food and other essentials. They have been directed not to go home till this emergency situation is over, he added.
Chhatbir zoo field director M Sudhagar said stringent biosecurity measures in all the animal houses and feed supplements to animals as immunoboosters have been provided with immediate effect.
Apart from this, mineral mixture, daily serving of vitamin E selenium and herbal immune booster syrup twice a week have been added to the diet of the animals, he added.