Belagavi Zoo Crisis: 31 Blackbucks Die Amid Conflicting Reports and Probe

Belagavi’s Kittur Rani Chennamma Mini Zoo is currently experiencing a grave wildlife crisis following the deaths of 31 blackbucks within a span of three days. Initial deaths were rapid, with eight animals perishing within an hour, leading to a total of 31 fatalities and several other blackbucks remaining critically ill.

A special team from Bannerghatta National Park has been dispatched to conduct further post-mortems and analyse food and water samples to ascertain the cause. However, conflicting statements from zoo officials have raised concerns; some suggested contaminated feed, while others cited a bacterial infection even before an official report was available.

Early veterinary assessments point towards a possible haemorrhagic or bacterial disease. Activists, meanwhile, have attributed the tragedy to poor surveillance, delayed responses, and inadequate health checks for the blackbucks, which were originally brought from Gadag four to five years ago.

Karnataka’s Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has initiated a comprehensive probe, vowing strict action if any negligence or contamination is uncovered. The investigation will also consider whether the infection originated from nearby domestic animals.