Foot-and-mouth disease hits BBP

BANGALORE: The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) is facing an unprecedented crisis with the foot-and-mouth disease claiming the lives of two mithuns and a blackbuck. Moreover, in an unrelated incident, a six-year-old lion was found dead in its animal rescue centre on Saturday.

According to Assistant Veterinary Officer of the park, G.K. Vishwanath, the lion, which was born in the park, had been unwell for nearly three months and its carcass had been sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAHVB) "to know whether it died of cancer or tuberculosis".

But the bigger worry is the foot-and-mouth disease which has hit the park for the first time. As a precautionary measure, the authorities have decided to close the herbivore safari to prevent the spread of the disease that is caused by an airborne virus.