Two more black bucks die, IVRI report awaited

DEATHS UNABATED Lucknow zoo has lost four male and 12 female antelopes since September 7. Toll goes up to 16

Two more black bucks died at the Lucknow Zoo on Friday despite authorities administering antibiotics to the antelopes and keeping them in an isolated enclosure.

Since September 7, the zoo has lost 16 black bucks, including four males and 12 females, leaving behind only 28 in the enclosure. The IVRI’s report on the samples of the dead animals is awaited from Bareilly.

“We are awaiting the lab report which will ascertain the cause of death. For now, soil of the enclosure has been sanitised and all the dead wood has also been removed from there,” said Renu Singh, zoo director.

Disinfectants and lime were used to clean the enclosure thoroughly, especially the place where the black bucks gather to eat their daily meals, she added.

Since Thursday, visitors have been kept away from the enclosure of black bucks.

“Keeping in view the sensitive nature of these animals, we are trying to give them an isolated environment so that they don’t get any kind of stress,” said Piyush Mohan, deputy ranger.

“Severe respiratory infection might have killed the 16 animals. We are keeping a close watch on them and taking utmost care to reduce mortality,” added Singh.

The two-member committee that was formed to probe the death of animals is likely to submit its report on Saturday. For the second consecutive day, veterinary experts inspected the habitat, food and water supply provided to the animals that are protected under schedule (I) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and are considered endangered animals. They held several rounds of meetings with different officials of the zoo.

The toy train services remained suspended for the second day, as the enclosures of black bucks had been cordoned off with the help of tents.