Bhubaneswar: A troubling series of animal deaths has hit Nandankanan Zoological Park, on outskirts of Bhubaneswar, over the past week.
Between January 23 and January 30, the zoo reported the deaths of five saltwater crocodiles, two white peacocks, and one mouse deer, totalling eight animals in just eight days. The crocodile deaths – three males and two females, each around eight years old and approximately eight feet long – have drawn attention. These lo
sses have reduced the zoo’s saltwater crocodile population from 31 to 26.
According to sources, the zoo officials have initiated preventive and supportive treatment measures. The enclosures have been thoroughly drained and cleaned, and the remaining crocodiles have been administered antibiotics as a precautionary step in accordance with the advice of Centre for Wildlife Health.
On Friday, wildlife specialist from Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Dr Aditya Acharya conducted postmortem on the deceased crocodiles and collected samples for laboratory analysis. While infection is the leading suspected cause of the deaths, zoo authorities have ruled out any signs of physical trauma or unusual behaviour. The crocodiles, however, exhibited clinical symptoms such as weakness and a noticeable reduction in appetite, the sources added.