The State government has told the High Court of Karnataka that the State Forest Department and the Karnataka Zoo Authority have initiated elaborate measures to protect the health of captive elephants and animals in zoos in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Additional biosecurity measures, including daily health screening of staff, had been introduced in the nine zoos and all elephant camps to ensure that there is no possible transfer of the virus from man to elephants and other animals, the government said in its statement.
The instructions were issued to observe symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such as respiratory signs of nasal discharge, coughing and laboured breathing through direct observation in elephants.
In case of symptoms, the animals are to be isolated and samples to be collected and sent to the designated animal health institutes to initiate COVID-19 testing, while following all biocontainment and safety measures as per the national protocol.
Those dealing with elephants, particularly mahouts and kavadis in camps, and having contact with animals in zoos are regularly screened, the government said, while stating that even animal-keepers have been told to maintain minimum contact.
The staff coming from areas where COVID-19 positive cases are detected or persons under home quarantine were requested to strictly follow the rules, and only healthy staff are being allowed to enter the zoo and report to duty after screening every day.
All vehicles carrying food material are required to pass through a trough filled with anti-microbial solution in zoos so that microbes attached to the tyres are removed, the government said, while stating that food and medicinal requirements of animals during lockdown had been ensured.
The Forest Department has also instructed conservators and deputy conservators of forests (CF/DCF) to check the availability of food supplies to the private, temple and mutt elephants in their jurisdiction.
A special Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice B.V. Nagarathna, which is hearing PIL petitions on issues owing to COVID-19 lockdown, has directed the CF/DCF to find out availability of food to private, temple and mutt elephants, and ensure supply through NGOs in case food is inadequate.
