Belagavi, 17 Nov

Thirty-one blackbucks have died at a zoo here in just four days due to a bacterial infection, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said on Monday.

The devastating toll, which reduced Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo's blackbuck population to seven, has prompted a high-level investigation from the government.

Eight antelopes died on 13 November, followed by 20 more deaths on 15 November. Three more blackbucks died at the facility in the last two days.

Minister Khandre held a meeting with the zoo officials.

Khandre ordered an inquiry to determine the source and spread of the disease among the animals.

The Minister said all precautionary measures are being taken to ensure that the disease does not spread to other zoos.

“I have ordered a high-level probe to find out how this disease spread among blackbucks. We have sent experts from Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru,” Khandre said.

The Minister directed the officials concerned to save the remaining blackbucks and esure that such incidents should not occur in future.

Comparing the outbreak of bacterial infection among blackbucks to Covid-19, the Minister said no one can predict such occurrences.