Assam Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya on Friday visited the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden to review the health of animals and their keepers during the ongoing second wave of the pandemic.
Till now not a single animal has been affected by the virus through 11 zookeepers have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, the minister told reporters at the Zoo.
Speaking to the media Parimal Suklabaidya said, “All the animals and birds are in good health. I thank the zookeepers for taking care of the animals during the pandemic.”
Ministers also mentioned that though there have been no revenue earnings from the zoo since April, still there are no immediate plans to open it for the safety of the animals as well as zookeepers.
The minister said two black panther cubs were born on Friday while two other cubs were born one and a half months ago during the ongoing pandemic. Four zebras from Israel would be brought to the zoo in exchange for two black panthers.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tejad Mariswamy also said, “Four white-winged wood ducks will arrive from the Czech Republic and the enclosures for keeping the new inmates are almost ready. Besides that, persons authorized to enter the state zoo premises will have to obtain prior permission from him and their body temperature will be checked at the main gate. The ration supplier has been asked to submit a COVID-19 test report of people engaged in the food supply.”
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