Another lion dies of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu zoo
Chennai, June 16: Another lion at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) in Vandalur near here, succumbed to SARS-CoV-2 on Wednesday morning.
Confirming the death of the Asiatic male lion named Pathbanathan, aged 12 years, Deputy Director of AAZP said the lion was housed in the safari area of the park.
"Samples of the said lion had tested positive for SARS- CoV-2 as per the report of National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, communicated on June 3.
The lion has been under intensive treatment since then," he said in a statement.
This is the second tragedy that struck the zoo which lost a nine-year-old lioness Neela due to Coronavirus on June 3.
Since the detection of the infection among animals, the zoo management has been involved in hectic efforts to prevent its spread among other animals.
On Monday, the zoo authorities said three lions were responding to the treatment veryslowly.
However, all endeavours were being made by the team of zoo veterinarians incoordination with the experts of TANUVAS to ensure that they recover, the AAZP had said.
Owing to COVID-19 infection on its premises, the park launched measures to contain the spread by introducing thermal scanning, social distancing, UV irradiation of feed, complete vaccination of zoo staff against Corona.
Animal enclosures were sanitised and the staff was mandated to wear the PPE kit.
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Vijay says no to CM convoy until swearing-in: TVK
Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay declined to accept the police convoy vehicles provided to Tamil Nadu chief minister as per protocol until his swearing-in, the party said on Thursday.
A police official confirmed that the CM convoy vehicles provided to him "as per protocol" following the announcement of the Assembly election results were returned and have not been withdrawn.
The official also said that arrangements were in place for the swearing-in ceremony.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) clarified that its party founder Vijay had "personally requested that the convoy vehicles be returned". In a statement here, the TVK said: "Vijay conveyed that he would accept the official chief minister-level security only after forming the government with a decisive mandate".
Four convoy vehicles assigned to Vijay on May 4 after his TVK secured 108 seats in the Assembly polls returned from his residence following his request.
Even on May 6, the police had deployed security near his Panaiyur residence and in front of the Lok Bhavan here when Vijay called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake his claim to form the government. Vijay did not use the government vehicle to meet the Governor.
