The giraffe that died at Nandankanan on Monday was suffering from filariasis, a disease spread by infected ticks.
OUAT Prof Niranjan Sahoo, a member of the expert team probing the death of the five-year-old long-neck animal, said this to reporters here.
“Joy was suffering from filariasis after being bitten by infected ticks. The symptoms of the disease are observed when someone is under severe pressure,” said Sahoo.
Notably, the Government has constituted a three-member committee to investigate into the death of Joy, which had been brought from the Alipore Zoo, Kolkata a week ago. The committee headed by former PCCF Saroj Patnaik has been asked to submit its report within a week.
Meanwhile, an officer of the Alipore Zoo said the Nandankanan Zoo authorities have not informed about death of the giraffe it had taken in exchange of four tigers. “Once we get an official communique, we will consult the National Zoo Authority and act as per its direction,” he said.
Responding to a media query, the official said the Alipore Zoo would provide another giraffe if the National Zoo Authority advises so.