Mass Blackbuck Deaths at Belagavi Zoo Spark Nationwide Concern
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A devastating wave of unexplained deaths has struck the Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo in Belagavi, India, leaving 29 blackbucks dead over a three-day period. The unprecedented loss has sparked a large-scale investigation, with multiple layers of inquiry underway to determine the cause of death. According to Nagaraj Balhasuri, the assistant conservator of forests, water and food samples from the zoo have been sent to a government laboratory for testing, while viscera samples have been dispatched to experts at Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru. The sudden deaths have drawn immediate attention from the state government, with forest and ecology minister Eshwar Khandre directing the department to conduct a detailed probe and implement measures to prevent the spread of disease to other animals. Preliminary reports suggest a possible contagious infection, prompting the minister to instruct zoo authorities to take comprehensive precautions while awaiting laboratory results. An expert committee will be formed to study all possible causes, including contaminated water, food sources, and transmission from domestic animals near the facility. The deaths have also brought renewed scrutiny to overall animal management at the zoo, which has been expanding its collection and infrastructure in recent years. The mini zoo has proposed an upgrade to become a medium-sized zoo, with plans to introduce new species and expand existing exhibits. As the investigation continues, officials have warned of strict action if negligence by zoo staff is identified. The sudden deaths of nearly the entire blackbuck population represent one of the most serious challenges the zoo has faced, said officials concerned with the matter.
