In Sepahijala big cats kept under surveillance

With the Novel Coronavirus opening its account in Tripura, the administrative alertness has reached an extreme extent prompting the Sepahijala Zoo, the only zoo of the state, to start spraying disinfectants and take several preventive measures in order to thwart any outbreak in the zoo. In the Sepahijala zoo, there are altogether 546 animals included with 19 from the big cat family.

“Soon after a tiger has been reported to be tested positive to the Novel Corona Virus, Central Zoo Authority of India has forwarded a list of guidelines and protocols to be followed in all the zoos across the country. In our zoo, we are taking all the preventive measures formulated by the zoo authorities”, said Zoo director Jaymalya Bhattacharjee.

In his own words, “As the virus found to be infecting the big cats, we have kept all the big cats under constant surveillance. A team is taking care of the big cats 24*7 so that if any deterioration of health is spotted, it can be shifted to special care. In our zoo, there are altogether 13 clouded leopards and 6 lions. But, as of now, there are no reports of health worsening”.

Apart from that, Bhattacharjee also said that special measures had been also taken to ensure the hygiene of the animals. “We have started spraying disinfectants in the zoo from Thursday.  Each and every enclosure is being sanitized. Strict instructions have been given to each and every zookeeper to maintain personal hygiene”, he added.

“We have”, he said, “93 staffs altogether including 69 zookeepers. We have set up a screening facility within the zoo. Gloves, soaps and hand are being given constantly for repeated hand washing and maintaining personal hygiene. Recently a health camp has been also organized in the zoo in the participation of a medical team from Bishalgarh sub-divisional hospital.”