Odisha: Nandankanan Zoo On Alert Against COVID Delta Mutant Among Animals

Bhubaneswar: With the detection of the highly contagious Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in four lions at Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai, the authorities at Nandankanan zoo on the city outskirts are taking no chances with their captive animals.

“A special COVID-19 surveillance committee has been formed at Nandankanan zoo to protect its inmates from contracting the infection,” PCCF (Wildlife) Shashi Paul was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

Paul said the team comprises an assistant conservator of forest, a veterinary officer and an education officer to keeping track of the health of the animals in the zoo.

The zoo has around 100 animals of 20 species including 26 tigers, 17 lions as well as several Himalayan bears, jackals and civets.

Sources said the Centre for Wildlife Health in OUAT, Bhubaneswar has also been asked to keep a close watch on the situation for immediate measures if any COVID symptoms are found among the wild and captive animals in the state.