Jackals Euthanised at Zoo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the euthanasia of four jackals infected with canine distemper virus on Monday, the virus infection has claimed the lives of eight jackals in the city zoo. No jackals now remain in the zoo. The zoo authorities are planning to bring vaccinated jackals from the Thrissur zoo, but only after ensuring proper disinfection. The disinfection methods will continue for a month.  Four virus-infected jackals were subjected to euthanasia early on Monday. The jackals were injected with a high dose of anaesthesia at 7 am. All the four died within half an hour. The carcasses were then sent to the Chief Disease Investigation Laboratory (CDIL) in Palode for post-mortem. A team led by Dr Easwaran, Dr Nandu and Dr Swapna Susan carried out the examination of the carcasses. Elaborate study will be conducted on samples collected from the animals, said zoo veterinarian Dr Jacob Alexander.  The carcasses of the animals were later disposed of at the CDIL.  According to zoo authorities, virus infection has not spread to other animals in the zoo. “We are carrying out a month-long disinfection programme. The other animals are being screened,” they said. The canine distemper virus had reportedly spread to the jackals through stray dogs. Four jackals were killed following virus infection last month. The remaining four, which were infected with the deadly virus, were subjected to euthanasia because of the fear of the spread of the airborne disease. The consent of the Chief Wildlife Warden was sought to kill the animals.  The other animals in the city zoo too have not been vaccinated against the canine distemper virus. The infection is so rare in animals other than stray dogs, that no study is available on the effect of the live attenuated virus.  Euthanasia was carried out in the zoo five years ago when a number of animals were infected with foot-and-mouth disease.