Submitting its written statement on Thursday the state government enumerated before the court all the measures taken by the state to ensure safety of all the captivated animals especially animals in the all zoos. Elaborating upon the same the division bench comprising of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice B V Nagarathna were presented with a detailed account of the various steps taken by the authorities to follow precautionary measures taken amidst the corona outbreak. Amongst others the biosecurity measures include:
1. Medicated foot-dip soaked with anti-microbial agent at the entrance gates through which all staff and vehicles must pass through so that any microbe attached to footwear is removed.
2. There are foot-dip soaked with anti-microbial agent, hand wash, hand sanitizers, gloves boots and masks at every animal enclosure for the use of keepers, supervisors, and veterinarians.
3. All animal enclosures are cleaned every day and sanitized with anti-microbial agents.
4. Entire Zoo area is sanitized periodically.
5. All animals are observed closely by their respective animal keepers, supervisors, and veterinarians. If needed, spotting scopes, binoculars, and CC cameras are also used to monitor animals.
6. All animals are fed with quality food and fodder. The quality of food material is personally checked and certified by the zoo veterinarians before feeding. In case of beef, it is sourced from Government Licensed certified slaughterhouses, and beef quality is certified by the Veterinarian of City Municipal Corporation.
7. All washable food items (fruits, vegetables, beef, chicken, etc.) are thoroughly washed before feeding the animals.
8. All food material carrying vehicles are required to pass through a trough filled with anti-microbial solution so that any microbes attached to the tyre of the vehicle are removed.
9. There are quarantine facilities at every zoo.
10. Every zoo has sufficient medicines and tools required for animal treatment.
11. All animals are vaccinated and dewormed as per standard protocol.
12. Restrictions are placed on animal keeper’s movement from one section to another.
13. Zoo Health Committee involving eminent Veterinary Scientists for Veterinary Universities, Research
There are a total of nine Zoos in the state which houses 5247 animals including 51 tigers, 33 lions, 96 panthers.
The other measures taken by the state include shutting the zoo to the public since 15th March, using thermo guns to measure body temperatures of the staff before letting them in, allowing only the healthy and essential staff members to enter the zoo while the others showing any symptoms of Covid-19 are told stay home and providing essential sanitary equipment including masks, sanitisers and handwashes to all the staff.
Also read: Urgent cases to be heard between April 15-17, post lockdown protocol issued: Allahabad HC
Apart from this, special measures as for Protection of Elephants as given by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka, to all the Chief Conservators of Forests, Deputy Conservators of Forests, and Conservators of Forests in order to avoid the spreading of Covid-19 infection to captive elephants are followed. These include:
1. Take immediate preventive measures to stop the transmission and spread of the virus from humans to elephants. This can be ensured by supply of masks/disinfectants, establishment disinfectant tent in elephant camps, and ensuring all staff to pass through the tent periodically.
2. The camp area, including the kitchen, are to be regularly sprayed with 0.5% Sodium hypochlorite solution or potassium permanganate solution. Materials/supplies brought from outside are to be sprayed with 65% alcohol solution and vegetables are washed thoroughly;
3. At the time of feeding, a minimum of 50 metres distance has to be maintained between two elephants;
4. Elephants are to be observed for symptoms consistent with Covid-19 such as respiratory signs of nasal discharge, coughing and laboured breathing through direct observation. In case of symptoms, the animal/s are to be isolated and samples of suspected cases are to be collected and sent to the designated animal health institutes to initiate Covid-19 testing while following all bio-containment and safety measures required as per the national/ICMR guidelines.
5. Persons dealing with elephants, particularly mahouts and kavadis are to be regularly screened and it should be ensured that they are Covid negative. In case of symptoms of Covid being observed, they should immediately be put under medial isolation.
6. Diligence needs to be exercised while handling post mortem cases to record locations, age, and sex of the animal while collecting the sample for corona virus diagnosis.
7. The entry of visitors and outsiders is to be strictly prohibited into elephant camps.
8. Elephant mahouts and kavadis are to be sensitized not to interact with the public including their extended family members and neighbours.
9. The DCF/CF should ensure the presence/availability of veterinary doctor-in-charge of camp on 24/7 basis and should get a report about the health of elephants periodically particularly for the symptoms of Covid-19.
10. The DCF/CF should ensure availability of adequate food supplies to camp elephants and also check the availability of food supplies to the private temple and mutt, elephants.
11. Take other possible steps to control the spread of the virus;
While giving orders the bench specifically mentioned that the DCF/CF should immediately contact the NGOs working in the field if they find that the captive elephants are not getting adequate food supply.
Read Order here
