Bondla zoo shut, decision on five sanctuaries in few days

PONDA: Fearing the potential spread of coronavirus among wild animals, the wildlife division of the forest department has barred entry into the state’s lone zoo at Bondla.
The Union ministry of environment, forest & climate change had issued an advisory on Friday ordering closure of all sanctuaries, national parks and other protected areas with immediate effect till further orders. The advisory has followed the central government’s report confirming death of an Asiatic lion by Covid-19, forest officials said.
The decision to shut five other sanctuaries will come in a few days. These are the Bhagwan Mahavir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem; Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Sanguem; Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Canacona; Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao and the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Sattari.
Additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF) and chief wildlife warden Santosh Kumar said, “It was essential to take immediate preventive measures to stop transmission of the virus by reducing the human-wildlife interface. The Union government advisory issued on Friday stated that there are reports of virus transmission from human to wildlife and that the officials should maintain Covid-appropriate behaviour while on field duties,” Kumar said.