Canine virus outbreak hits Ranchi zoo, all seven foxes die
Ranchi, Apr 13: All the seven foxes at Ranchi's Birsa zoo died in the last one month of the highly-contagious canine distemper virus (CDV), officials said on Wednesday.
Foxes, an endangered species, are protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
"The first fox death was reported in the first week of March. Thereafter, one by one all the foxes in the zoo died in a month. Most of the foxes were, however, aged," director of Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park Jabbar Singh told PTI.
Experts of the Ranchi Veterinary College were informed when the first death was reported, he said.
"We have also sent samples to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) for examination. Though we have not yet received any official report from the IVRI, the institute verbally hinted that the deaths might be due to CDV," Singh said.
A scientist of IVRI-Bareilly told PTI that the sample was found to be CDV-positive.
"The zoo authority has been informed about this and has also been suggested precautionary measures needed to be taken for protecting other animals. We will send the official report to the zoo authority in a day or two," the scientist said on condition of anonymity.
Canine distemper, a naturally occurring viral infection, is considered fatal for canine families such as fox, dogs and wolves. It infects the lungs and affects respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems, experts said.
"We found symptoms of pneumonia in lungs and respiratory problems. We suspect a contagious disease caused the death of the animals," said Dr MK Gupta, the chairman of Ranchi Veterinary College's Pathology Department, who conducted the post-mortem.
Most of the foxes were brought to the zoo around 2004 after being rescued, zoo officials said.
The zoo is scheduled to undertake a massive vaccination drive for the canines this month, they said.
"The vaccine dose is not available in the open market. We have to procure it from some other zoos," Singh said.
An extensive disinfection drive was also carried out in the zoo to restrict the spread of the disease, he said.
Spread over 104 hectares in Ranchi's Ormanjhi, the zoo houses about 1,450 animals and birds of 83 different species.
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CCTV footage from Kejriwal's home surfaces, Maliwal says 'political hitman' trying to save himself
New Delhi, May 17: The "political hitman" has started making efforts to save himself, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal said on Friday as purported CCTV footage from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence surfaced online.
In the 52-second video, Maliwal is seen arguing with the security staff at the chief minister's residence.
Maliwal was allegedly assaulted by Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar at the chief minister's official residence on Monday. The Delhi Police registered an FIR in the matter on Thursday and named Kumar as an accused.
"Like every time, this time also this political hitman has started making efforts to save himself," Maliwal said in a post on X without naming anyone.
"By getting his people to tweet and share videos without any context, he thinks he can save himself by committing this crime. Who makes a video of someone being thrashed? The truth will be revealed to everyone as soon as the CCTV footage of the house and the room is examined," she said.
In the purported video, Maliwal is heard saying that she has called the police control room and would wait till the police personnel arrive.
"I will tell all. Let me talk to your DCP," she says, warning the security personnel that she would get him terminated if he touches her.
हर बार की तरह इस बार भी इस राजनीतिक हिटमैन ने ख़ुद को बचाने की कोशिशें शुरू कर दी हैं।
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) May 17, 2024
अपने लोगों से ट्वीट्स करवाके, आधि बिना संदर्भ की वीडियो चलाके इसे लगता है ये इस अपराध को अंजाम देके ख़ुद को बचा लेगा। कोई किसी को पीटते हुए वीडियो बनाता है भला? घर के अंदर की और कमरे की CCTV…
'ये गंजा... तुम्हारी नौकरी खाऊंगी...' सामने आया 13 मई को CM आवास पर स्वाति मालीवाल से जुड़ा वीडियो
— AajTak (@aajtak) May 17, 2024
नोट: 'आज तक' इस वीडियो की पुष्टि नहीं करता #SwatiMaliwal #DelhiCMHouse #VibhavKumar pic.twitter.com/RAaBpIsxbO
