Govt seeks help of Punjab experts after big cat deaths

Concerned over big cat deaths at Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur and the cause of the ailments not exactly found out by laboratories, the Rajasthan forest department has sought assistance of experts from Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab, officials said.

A young Asiatic lion, Tejas, which was sick for the last few days, died at the park on Monday. The death came 14 days after a four-year-old lion, Kailash, died at the park. Eight big cats have died at the park within a year.

A lion, Sujjan, died in September last year due to canine distemper virus, followed by deaths of white tigress, Sita, and cub Riddhi due to acute interstitial nephritis. Asiatic lions Rudra and Siddharth died due to leptospirosis this year and white tiger (Raja) due to chronic pyelonephritis (kidney infection). Reports about what caused the deaths of Kailash and Tejas are awaited.

“All the protocols have been strictly followed to ensure safety of the animals in the park. Kidney and liver ailments were diagnosed in most of the big cats. However, experts at IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute), Bareilly and Wildlife Institute of India as well as veterinary doctors in the state have not been able to diagnose the reason for such ailments,” a senior forest department official said on the condition of anonymity.

“When leptospirosis was reported this year, all the required measures were taken, but the situation remains the same,” he added. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which can damage kidney and liver.

“We have written to IVRI to apprise us about what is causing the ailment. Whenever samples are sent to the lab, the cause of death should be found out. Only information about ailments leading to death will not help in taking safety steps,” official said.