AHMEDABAD: Zoos in the state including those at Ahmedabad and Junagadh have begun taking special precautions. Zoo staff have been asked to be vigilant and ensure that no visitors goes near the animal cages.
Officials has stepped up their vigil following news of four lions at Barcelona zoo testing positive for Covid. This is the second known case in which lions have contracted the virus. An official they are particularly worried about mammals catching the infection. Officials said staff at the Kamala Nehru Botonical Garden (Kankaria Zoo) has been asked to remain vigilant. The zoo has set up barricades at a safe distance from the cages.
Officials said usually visitors are seen getting close to the monkey enclosures and feeding them. Staff have been asked to be extra cautious. Apart from checking the temperatures of visitors and ensuring they have masks on, an antiviral foot bath has been kept at the gate.
R K Sahu, director of Kankaria Zoo, said the cases are regularly disinfected.
According to Central Zoo Authority of India directives, no keeper is allowed to touch animals. At zoos abroad keepers are allowed to get close to the animals, which increases the risk of infection. Staff have been asked to clean utensils twice a day and disinfect them before food is served to the animals. The staff, in line with protocol, have to undergo medical checks and stay away if they have a cough or fever. At Sakkarbaug zoo in Junagadh, the authorities have also stepped up their vigil. CCF D Vasavada said, “We are taking all precautions and the cages are disinfected regularly. The doctors at the zoo are also monitoring the health of the animals. The staff is asked to be extra cautious and ensure that no visitor with high temperatures or any symptoms enters the premises.”