Belgaum, Nov. 17: The massacre of blackbucks at Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo in Bhutaramanahatti, Belgaum has continued, creating an atmosphere of great anxiety at the zoo.
30 blackbucks have already lost their lives in the chain of deaths that began on November 13, and care for the remaining 8 blackbucks is ongoing.
Earlier, zoo officials had said that all necessary measures and treatments were being taken as per the recommendations of experts after the death of blackbucks in Dodda.
However, the situation continued to deteriorate, raising serious questions about the negligence of the zoo's veterinary staff and forest officials.
38 blackbucks were brought to the Rani Chennamma Zoo from Gadag Zoo. These animals, aged four to six years, were being kept in the zoo.
Experts said that such a huge loss of life could have been avoided if the infected animals had been detected earlier and immediately separated from the herd.
Post-mortem examinations were conducted after the deaths of the first eight blackbucks. Samples were collected and sent to the Bannerghatta laboratory for detailed analysis.
The post-mortem examination by a specialist doctor revealed the cause of the deaths of the blackbucks, and it is being said that the series of blackbucks died of a fatal disease called bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia.
Meanwhile, 25 blackbucks that died have been cremated and 3 blackbucks have been subjected to post-mortem examinations.
It is learnt that the post-mortem examination was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Sunil Pawar, Member Secretary, Karnataka Zoo Authority.