City Zoo closed down following foot-and-mouth disease

Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 (UNI) The City Zoo, one of the oldest and the best in the country, was temporarily closed down today following the death of animals due to the foot-and-mouth disease.

The technical committee of the Zoo took stock of the situation and recommended the government close down the zoo for at least a week.

''We got the clearance from the Government this evening and the zoo will be out of bounds for visitors for a few days,'' Zoo director Elcy George told UNI here.

The decision came after the office of the Chief Disease Investigation Officer, Palode, yesterday confirmed the death of some Mithuns at the zoo was due to the foot-and-mouth disease.

Three Mithuns were culled on Thursday evening in an attempt to contain the disease.

Four Black Bucks also died of suspected viral infection.

The director said cleaning and disinfection activities would be carried out in full swing during the next one week to check the spread of the disease.

UNI