Authorities of Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park at Ormanjhi about 23 km from district headquarter have taken special measures to protect around 1,400 animals of this biological park from Covid 19 where authorities are sanitizing enclosures of animals on a daily basis.
The zoological section of the park spread over 87 acres is managed by around 60 staff including officials and all of them are required to undergo sanitization on a regular basis.
In fact, a high alert has been sounded for all biological parks, sanctuaries in Jharkhand after eight Asiatic lions at the Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad were tested positive for the Covid 19. This is the first ever instance in India where animals have contracted the virus.
The first case of tiger tested positive for Coronavirus was reported at Bronx Zoo at New York in America last year.
“We have been taking special measures right from January last year after the outbreak of Covid 19. Sanitisation of the park and enclosures are carried out on a daily basis. Staff and handlers of animals are required to use protective gears. We conduct fogging, sanitization and lime spraying on a daily basis,” said a zoo staff.
Zoo authorities are also using flame heat to disinfect specially cages and enclosures of big cats. Handlers of big cats use gloves while handling animals. Regular disinfection and sanitization are part of the standard. Before entering the enclosure a footbath is necessary where a solution of potassium permanganate is also used.
Twice a week animals are taken for health check-up and their movements and activities are closely monitored through CCTVs.
As per the direction of the central government, the state forest department has started the process to set-up a special taskforce for special monitoring of animals at biological parks and sanctuaries.