Herpes scare: Tiger falls ill at Odisha’s Nandankanan zoo

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Sep 25, 2019 at 5:16 PM

Bhubaneswar: Deadly herpes virus is suspected to have spread its wings at Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) as a tiger fell sick after a series of elephant deaths at the wildlife habitat on outskirts of the city here.

According to reports, white tiger ‘Subhranshu’ is ailing since Sunday. The five-year-old tiger is found weak due to inadequate intake of food at the zoo.

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With increasing number of elephant death toll, the tiger is suspected to have been infected with the deadly virus.

A team of doctors has been engaged for treatment of the ailing tiger.

However, the NZP authorities termed the illness related to liver.

“The condition of tigers at Nandankanan is normal. If any complication occurs, or any tiger is found vomiting due to indigestion, our doctors are treating them regularly. The health condition of Subhranshu is stated to be normal. We think, the big cat is suffering from liver related ailment. The disease will be diagnosed after the test report comes up. However, its appetite and water intake are completely normal,” said Nandanakanan Deputy Director Jayant Das.

Subranshu was born in 2014. Currently, there are 26 tigers including the white tiger at Nandankanan.

Meanwhile, Central Zoo Authority member secretary, SP Yadav, visited Nandankanan today and discussed with concerned authorities following deaths of elephants due to herpes virus.