BAREILLY: It is not just shrinking space in the wild that is affecting
lions, tigers and leopards. Across all the zoos in the country, the big
cats are left debilitated by a bacterial infection. The leptospirosis
bacteria, found in rodent urine, makes its way into blood samples of zoo
animals and causes higher morbidity and mortality, scientists at the
Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly have found.
Samples from two lions that recently fell sick at the safari in Etawah
also tested positive for this bacteria.
"The source of the bacteria among animals is rats. The animals are infected after coming in contact with the urine of rodents. The disease also spreads through infected drinking water," said Dr AK Sharma, principal scientist and in-charge of the Centre for Wildlife at IVRI.
The bacteria affects the kidney and liver of animals, inducing jaundice and compromising the functioning of vital organs. The body is unable to neutralize the toxins as the bacteria affect the filtration process of the kidneys. As the toxins start accumulating, the damage to organs becomes more and more severe, and spreads also to the brain and spinal cord.
"Being a chronic disease, the infected animal dies gradually. Depending on the quantum of infection, animals die within about a year of the infection," Dr Sharma said.
Scientists said the bacteria also affects herbivorous animals and humans working with infected animals.
"Zoo keepers in Jodhpur and a few other staff members also tested positive. We have prescribed antibiotics for them," Dr Sharma said.
Although the existence of the bacteria has been known for a long time, scientists have only been following the infection in big cats in zoos in the past few years.
"On the basis of the samples we have received, the disease appears to have spread to almost all zoos in the country. As these animals are confined to the zoo, the disease passes easily from one animal to another. However, the accurate number of infected animals can be known only after regular monitoring of blood samples," Dr Sharma said.
Scientists say the only way to control the spread of this disease is by keeping a check on rodents. "Controlling rodents in zoos is easier said than done," said Dr Sharma.
"The source of the bacteria among animals is rats. The animals are infected after coming in contact with the urine of rodents. The disease also spreads through infected drinking water," said Dr AK Sharma, principal scientist and in-charge of the Centre for Wildlife at IVRI.
The bacteria affects the kidney and liver of animals, inducing jaundice and compromising the functioning of vital organs. The body is unable to neutralize the toxins as the bacteria affect the filtration process of the kidneys. As the toxins start accumulating, the damage to organs becomes more and more severe, and spreads also to the brain and spinal cord.
"Being a chronic disease, the infected animal dies gradually. Depending on the quantum of infection, animals die within about a year of the infection," Dr Sharma said.
Scientists said the bacteria also affects herbivorous animals and humans working with infected animals.
"Zoo keepers in Jodhpur and a few other staff members also tested positive. We have prescribed antibiotics for them," Dr Sharma said.
Although the existence of the bacteria has been known for a long time, scientists have only been following the infection in big cats in zoos in the past few years.
"On the basis of the samples we have received, the disease appears to have spread to almost all zoos in the country. As these animals are confined to the zoo, the disease passes easily from one animal to another. However, the accurate number of infected animals can be known only after regular monitoring of blood samples," Dr Sharma said.
Scientists say the only way to control the spread of this disease is by keeping a check on rodents. "Controlling rodents in zoos is easier said than done," said Dr Sharma.
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