Jumbo ‘Chandan’ dies at Odisha’s Nandankanan zoo

Bhubaneswar: Male elephant ‘Chandan’ aged about 10 years died at the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha capital on the wee hours of Sunday.

The pachyderm suddenly became ill on September 13 afternoon with reduced appetite, nasal discharge and swollen glands on both sides of his face. Immediately, treatment was initiated by the zoo veterinarians on the same day as per the advice of Centre for Wildlife Health, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, zoo sources said.

During the course of the treatment during the last 36 hours, the elephant breathed his last today at 3.40 am. The animal suspectedly died due to Herpes virus infection. The cause of death shall be ascertained after post-mortem today, sources added.

The authorities are taking steps to prevent spreading of the virus and provide advance preventive treatment to remaining elephants.