Bhubaneswar: Two rare marmoset monkeys have died at Nandankanan Zoological Park on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar after allegedly being bitten by a venomous snake.
The two marmosets were housed in enclosure No. 59(F) in the zoo’s ‘Monkey World’, which accommodates several species of exotic monkeys.
According to sources, a venomous snake entered the enclosure on Thursday and reportedly bit the two monkeys at an interval of about an hour. Both animals died within minutes of being bitten.
Zoo authorities have confirmed that the two marmosets, reported to be the last ones of the rare breed at Nandankanan, died due to snakebite.
The incident has sparked criticism among animal lovers, who have alleged that negligence on the part of the concerned officials may have led to the deaths. Questions have also been raised over how a snake managed to enter an enclosure that was designed to protect the monkeys and prevent the entry of outside animals.