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Belagavi. The forest department and administration have been shocked by the death of 31 blackbucks in Karnataka’s Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo within four days. Preliminary investigation suggests that the cause of these deaths was serious bacterial infection. After this incident, the number of black bucks in the zoo has reduced to only 7. The Forest Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the death of black bucks.

According to the information, 31 deer have died in the last four days. According to zoo sources, 8 deer died on Thursday, 20 deer on Saturday and 3 more deer died in the last two days. The continuous deaths forced the forest department to take immediate action.

Forest Minister Belagavi Reach meeting
Karnataka Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre reached Belagavi and held a detailed meeting with zoo officials. Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, he said, prima facie the death of the black bucks was due to bacterial infection. A team of experts and veterinarians are engaged in treatment, and we are investigating the source of the illness. Minister Khandre said that all zoos have been alerted to prevent the spread of the disease. A team of experts from Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru has been sent to Belagavi. Special monitoring and medicines are being given to save the remaining 7 black bucks. Comparing the severity of this infection with Covid-19, he said that it is difficult to predict such an outbreak in advance.

orders high level investigation
The Forest Minister has directed to constitute a high-level investigation committee to get to the root of this incident, so that a detailed report can be prepared on how the infection started, how it spread, and how it can be stopped in future. On the other hand, the zoo management has claimed that they are taking all precautionary measures to protect the remaining deer.