Animal deaths in Tripura zoo

Face-lift plan mulled after ZAI team’s visit

From Our Spl Correspondent

 AGARTALA: The death of three animals- Emu, largest giant birds of Australia, a 23 year old leopard and one minor bear in Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary for the past few months has raised alarm bell in the forest officials.

While one Emu died of Ranishet disease last week, a Himalayan leopard died owing to viral fever on Tuesday. But the sanctuary authority suffered a shock when two adult bears killed and ate up a cub in the cage. Wildlife workers have, however, could manage to save another cub from clutch of furious two adult bears.

Officiating Wildlife Conservator and Director of Siphahijala Wildlife Sanctuary S C Debnath, admitted the killing of the bear in the cage. “We have shifted the bears in separate cages to avoid such kind of shocking incident”, said Debnath.

Confirming death, Dr Gautam Dasgupta, chief of Siphahijala wildlife hospital on Tuesday said, the deceased leopard was suffering from several illness including urological problems. It may be noted that a leopard usually survive 20-22 years.

In March last, altogether 10 birds of various species and three wild animals had died in the sanctuary due to infections.

Alarmed by the incidents, the authority has decided to face lift the entire wildlife sanctuary, 18 km from the capital town.

Sources said, a high level team of Zoo Authority of India (ZAI) had visited the wildlife sanctuary and prescribed in crease in the size of enclosures.

“The ZAI wants to make the wildlife sanctuary more environmental friendly so that animals could feel comfortable there”, said Debnath.

Following the observations of the ZAI team, the Forest department has envisaged a master plan to make state’s one of best wildlife sanctuary more environmental friendly, he said. The mater plan was prepared on the concept of open-air wildlife sanctuary.