06 January,2025 03:52 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Pic
Three tigers and a leopard died of avian influenza at an animal rescue centre in Maharashtra's Nagpur, prompting the authorities to put zoos on alert, an official said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.
The Central government has issued an advisory, directing zoos to take precautionary measures following the deaths that occurred at the end of last month, the official said.
Shatanik Bhagwat, divisional manager of the Gorewada project, said the animals had been relocated to Gorewada Rescue Centre from Chandrapur following incidents of man-animal conflict, stated PTI.
Bhagwat stated that the big cats died at the centre at the end of December.
ALSO READ
Class 10 students killed in Nashik accident as truck swerves to avoid animals
At least 20 dogs dead, 11 injured after being thrown from bridge; probe underway
Shakti Kapoor reveals Govinda would come on set 12 hours late
Fisheries, animal husbandry, dairy projects launched in NE
Triptii Dimri says Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal was not anti-feminist
The tigers were brought to the rescue centre in the second week of December, while the leopard had been housed there since May, he said.
The animals showed different symptoms but limped and suffered from fever in the third week of December, he said, adding that their samples were sent to Bhopal for testing, and the test reports that arrived on January 2 confirmed they were positive for the H5N1 virus, as per PTI.
According to the Central and state government guidelines, the disinfection process is underway, he said.
Legendary wildlife conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, renowned for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees, praised Mumbai's human-leopard coexistence model during a visit to the city. She also highlighted the pivotal role of young people in environmental protection.
Addressing state forest department officials and young conservationists at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Dr Goodall (90), emphasised, "Young people have the power to create positive change. The youth are the future, and they must unite to lead efforts in environmental and wildlife conservation."
Dr Goodall commended Mumbai's unique human-leopard coexistence, stating, "Mumbai is a prime example that shows the world how humans and wildlife can live in harmony. We must recognise that wildlife and humans are inseparable, and the only way forward is peaceful coexistence."
The 90-year-old conservationist visited India for the first time as part of her Hope Global Tour. Since November 16, she has been in Mumbai, promoting Roots & Shoots, a global initiative by the Jane Goodall Institute India.
(With inputs from PTI)
