Rats kill big cats

Payal Dhawan, TNN Feb 12, 2014

• Ludhiana zoo|
• Central Zoo Authority

LUDHIANA: It's official, two of the three big cats that died in Ludhiana Zoo last year, suffered from leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, which was spread by the rodents.

A panel of experts after examining the preserved organs of three tigresses has concluded that Mohini and Elaichi were infected with the infectious disease, before their death.

The findings which have been submitted in the form of a detailed report to the Principal Chief Conservator of forest will be sent to Central Zoo Authority (CZA), which is responsible for oversight of zoos all over the country. "The examination of the organs of all three tigresses, has shown that Shanti died because of the age factor while Mohini and Elaichi died due to old age and a disease caused by the rodents" confirmed Parveen Kumar, Conservator of Forest, Wild Life Shivalik Hills Circle.

According to him, the report pointed out that Mohini who was 14-years-old suffered from the bacterial infection and could not fight with the disease due to age factor. "In Elaichi's report two diseases are mentioned, one is the infection because of rodents and another one is the history of UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) that caused multiple organ failure and its death," he confirmed.

Admitting that rodents were posing a grave threat to the life of habitants in the zoo, he added, "I agree rodents are dangerous for animals and have caused the death of two tigresses. We are taking all precautions and have placed many rat traps in the safari as we can neither use a rat killer nor can restrict rodents' movement."

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