Keeping in view of reports of a tiger in Bronx Zoo in New York getting infected by the coronavirus pathogen, state forest minister Mohammad Akbar on Tuesday, reviewed the protective measures at national parks, sanctuaries and zoos in Chhattisgarh.
Akbar also reviewed the arrangements for stopping human entry into the wildlife parks, officials said.
The minister directed officials to strictly follow the advice of the central zoo authority and national tiger conservation authority, which was issued following the tiger in Bronx zoo getting infected by Covid-19.
“Entry to all zoos and wild life centers have been closed since March 15 in view of Covid-19 breakout,” the minister said.
The minister directed forest department officials to keep eye on animals and said: “In case wild animals show any kind coronavirus symptoms then their samples must be taken for testing.”
He further said that the entire campus of the Jungle Safari in Nava Raipur and zoo premises has been sanitized by the Raipur Municipal Corporation.
Similarly, Bilaspur forest division had sanitized the Kanan Pendari zoo and Bhilai Steel Plant has been intimated of the advisory for its Maitri Bagh zoo, he added.
Likewise, the Nandanvan zoo, Raipur, will be sanitized on April 8, he said.
Deer death in Kanan Pendari, natural not due to Covid-19
Refuting claims that a female cheetal (deer) at the Kanan Pendari zoo in Bilaspur, had died of coronavirus, forest officials said a postmortem report has revealed that the death was natural.
“The cheetal had died of old age and natural reasons. Multi-organ failure was the reason for its death and not Covid-19,” principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) Atul Shukla said.