New Delhi: As soon as the news of tiger getting infected by Coronavirus in Bronx Zoo, New York, came into light, Centre issued an advisory to the wildlife authorities across India to remain on high alert, watch for any sick animal with potential symptoms and to reduce animal-human interface.
India is having the maximum number of tigers in the wild as well as in captivity. The incident of a tiger getting infected by COVID-19 shook the entire conservative sphere of tigers.
Following the incident, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) came into action. The Central Zoo Authority wrote to the chief wildlife wardens of all states and union territories, directing them to remain at 'highest alertness', watch animals on a 24×7 basis using CCTV cameras and keep an eye on any abnormal behaviour or symptoms shown by them.
The letter also asked the zoo authorities to restrict the movement of people in the zoos and ensure that keepers/handlers should not be allowed in the vicinity of animals without wearing Personal Protection Equipments (PPEs).
The CZAI also advised that Mammals especially cats and ferrets have to be carefully monitored and fortnightly samples of the suspected cases to be sent to the designated animal health institutes to initiate COVID-19 testing while following all bio-containment and safety measures required to handle this high-risk pathogen as per the national ICMR guidelines.
The zoo authorities have also been asked to constitute a Task Force/Rapid Action Force with Field Managers, Veterinary doctors, Frontline staff to manage the situation, as soon as possible, and to set up essential services for emergency treatment of animals and their safe release back to their natural habitats when required.
Also Read: Tiger at New York's Bronx Zoo tests positive for coronavirus
