Wildlife in danger at this dying reserve

There is no respite for tigers, be it forests or zoos, especially in Karnataka.

The Bannerghatta Biological Park ( BBP), located on the outskirts of Bangalore, has virtually turned into a death trap for the endangered cats. In the last two weeks, five tigers, including a cub, succumbed to a bacterial infection. Six more are critically ill.

Not only tigers, the life- threatening bacteria claimed the lives of two lions and one sloth bear. Shockingly, the BBP authorities are yet to ascertain the source of the bacterial infection. While fingers are being pointed towards the meat suppliers, local contamination at the BBP cannot be ruled out.

The Bannerghatta Biological Park, spread over 105 square kilometres, is home to a zoo, butterfly park and tiger and lion safari. The BBP has been in the news always for the wrong reasons.

More than 10 years ago, a tiger snatched a child from a safari van window and mauled it.

Elephant poaching is common inside the park. On several occasions, elephants have strayed into Bangalore localities.

Conservationists dub the BBP as a “ dying reserve” considering the urban pressure it is facing from all sides. “ It has become an isolated patch of forest. Elephants used to migrate to the eastern and western ghats from BBP. But all the elephant corridors have been cut off. It is only a matter of time before BBP becomes just another park,” said conservationist AM Anand.

But the death of the tigers and other big cats in the zoo and safari has shocked the conservationist fraternity. The BBP authorities are yet to find out the cause of the infection though theories of rotten chicken meat being supplied are doing the rounds.

Karnataka’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests BK Singh, however, maintained that the source of the bacterial infection could be anything: “ It could be food- borne or water- borne.

The infection can come through any source.” Following the public outrage, the Forest Department has started screening the meat being supplied to the remaining animals in the zoo. The Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals ( IAHVB) has deputed two laboratory experts at the BBP and six veterinary doctors from the UAS Veterinary College are monitoring the situation round the clock.

“ We are analysing the meat supplied to the animals. We see an improvement in the condition of the animals at the zoo,” IAHVB Director Dr Renuka Prasad, claimed.

Seven tigers, including three cubs, which have shown symptoms of bacterial infection, have been isolated for observation.

The rapid developments at BBP have forced the Central Zoo Authority ( CZA) to examine the issue.

The CZA has constituted an expert team that will visit BBP on September 25. The team comprising three experts — Dr MN Achardeo from Nandankannan National Park, Orissa, Dr RG Jani, head, Department of Wildlife, Anand Veterinary College, Gujarat and Dr AB Shrivastava from Jabalpur University Veterinary College — will present its report to the CZA on or before September 27.

There are two main issues surrounding the death of the tigers.

One is the lack of experts in wildlife medicine at the BBP. “ The BBP has hired the services of regular veterinary doctors who do not have exposure to wildlife medicine. It is high time the BBP hires experts in wildlife medicine to ensure that the animals are regularly monitored,” Anand pointed out.

Another issue is that the BBP has become a dumping ground for all kinds of wild animals, including species that are not endemic to the country. “ The BBP authorities have exchanged Indian wildlife for Siberian tigers. The Royal Bengal tiger and Siberian tiger differ genetically. Besides, Siberian tigers cannot survive for long in the harsh Indian environment.

There is no point in bringing exotic animals to our country,” Anand contended.