BHUBANESWAR: Giraffe ‘Joy’ was infected by Theileriosis, a tick-borne disease caused by a protozoan parasite, serological test conducted by the three-member expert panel revealed on Wednesday.
Joy died at Nandankanan Zoological Park here on Monday morning, five days after its arrival from Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo in an exchange programme.
The expert team, which carried out molecular tests on the blood samples after monitoring the post mortem, found out that the giraffe fell to Theileriosis as the disease infects blood cells quickly but the carrier shows no symptoms till a late stage. The gestation period of the parasite ranges between 15 and 25 days and does not show up in normal blood tests during that span of time.
Once infected, symptoms of the disease do not show up until blood cells have a 50 per cent parasite load. As a result, when it manifests, it can be difficult to control. Giraffes are known to be affected by Theileriosis in African countries, not in India.
“Theileriois is endemic in India and affects herbivores but domestic animals are resistant to it. It is curable when detected early and reports very low mortality, but the exotic animals are very susceptible to the infection,” said Head of Medicine at Odisha College of Veterinary Science Prof Niranjan Sahu, who led the three-member team.
Authorities say Joy may have contracted the infection at Alipore Zoo because the animal was in Bhubaneswar for only about five days.
“We will officially share the test reports with Alipore Zoo because they have more giraffes at their end. They would have to take steps to screen other animals and initiate remedial measures,” Nandankanan Zoo Director Sudarshan Panda said.
The City zoo, on its part, has already carried out ground-burning of the enclosure where Joy was kept and disinfected neighbouring areas with acaricide treatment. Blow flames were also used to sanitise feeding chambers.
Nandankanan Zoo authorities have also decided to submit a request to their Kolkata counterpart requesting to spare another giraffe in place of Joy. Sources said Alipore Zoo Director too is sympathetic and could consider gifting another giraffe if Nandankanan makes an official request and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) vets it.
Meanwhile, the three-member inquiry panel, headed by former Chief Wildlife Warden Saroj Patnaik, visited the zoo and collected information. Patnaik, member of the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee, is also a permanent member of CZA.