Chennai: After Covid-19, lions in the Vandalur Zoo are facing a Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) scare. One lion and the deceased young lioness Neela were tested positive for the highly contagious CDV, it is said.
A press release from the zoo said of the samples from three lions and four tigers sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, for testing, two samples of lions were mildly positive (low level infection) for canine distemper virus (CDV).
The remaining five samples tested negative for CDV and other pathogens. The samples are being tested for SARS CoV-2 and other secondary pathogens, the release said.
Supriya Sahu, Secretary, Environment and Forests, Tamilnadu, visited the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur on Friday, to take stock of the situation. She interacted with vets and officers and reviewed the treatment protocol being administered to the lions at the zoo.
Meanwhile, Gowri, a chimpanzee Vandalur zoo, has given birth to a baby. Zoo officials said both the mother and the baby were healthy. The mother is carrying the baby on its chest throughout the day and feeding it. At night, the baby is separated from the mother.