Assam zoo Rhino dies of suspected Anthrax

Guwahati, Jan 23 : An adult male rhino has died of suspected anthrax in a zoo here.

"If it's a case of anthrax then it's something serious. So far it is not confirmed because some time is needed for the lab report to come for the analysis," said Narayan Mahanto, Divisional Forest Officer, Assam State Zoo.

He, however, added that since it's a dangerous bacterial infection "we are taking appropriate measures to check its outbreak."

The rhino has been buried at a safe depth within the zoo complex without any autopsy being conducted.

Meanwhile, the zoo authorities have quarantined the remaining five one-horned rhinos, including two females in the zoo for anti-anthrax vaccination.

"A rhino of the zoo has died of anthrax. It's a rare disease and before this incident it was in 1997 when anthrax occurred here. It infects nearby areas; therefore, to tackle it we have called a team of veterinary experts," said State Forest Minister Rokibul Hussain.

ANI