Thiruvananthapuram zoo reopens post-FMD outbreak

A zoo here reopened on Tuesday after 16 days of quarantine, following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) among animals.

Thiruvananthapuram, July 24 : A zoo here reopened on Tuesday after 16 days of quarantine, following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) among animals.

The city zoo was closed on July 8 for the visitors after it lost its entire stock of Indian Gaur (Bos Gaurus or a look alike of Indian bison) and 12 blackbucks in a week to the killer disease.

The zoo confirmed that FMD virus of strain 'O' had caused the deaths.

Although officials claim that everything is normal, the zoo is taking precautions against the highly contagious disease by restricting visitors inside the zoo.

The zoo has also introduced foot-dips, which is a shallow pit made at the entrance of the zoo filled with Potassium permanganate. The pit is covered with mats and visitors are being told to walk on it so that their shoes are quarantined.

"There are no restrictions inside the zoo. The visitors are not allowed to go the tagged areas, which are blocked for few days. It is as usual as before," said Elcy George, Director of the zoo.

The visitors are also appreciating the preventive measures taken by the zoo authorities.

"I have read about the zoo, I heard that there are beautiful animals here therefore I came here. I think it is good that they are taking these measures and being careful," said Pedra, a foreign tourist.

India had not previously confirmed the presence of the highly contagious disease-FMD, which causes severe weight loss in cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle and hogs.

However, agricultural experts have long believed that the country regularly suffers isolated outbreaks.

The zoo, set up by the erstwhile rulers of Travancore in 1857, houses 72 species of animals in a scenic 56-acre surroundings.

ANI