It is euthanasia for the virus-affected jackals

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision has been taken. Euthanasia to the four jackals of the city zoo infected with the canine distemper virus. Chief Wildlife Warden R Raja Raja Varma has confirmed to Express that euthanasia is the only option before him.The zoo authorities are yet to receive an official approval for their application regarding the euthanasia of the infected jackals.The canine distemper virus has already claimed the lives of four jackals in the city zoo. With the mercy killing of the remaining four, the virus would have wiped out all the jackals from the city zoo.Raja Raja Varma said: “This is the only option left in order to save the lives of other animals. The four jackals would be subjected to euthanasia. It is a very disturbing decision, but there is no other option”.Since jackals are schedule animals, the approval of CWW is necessary to go ahead with the procedure.According to the zoo officials, the euthanasia will be carried out by injecting high dose of anaesthetics. The body of the animals will be charred in the presence of zoo authorities. Euthanasia was held in the zoo five years ago when a group of animals were infected with foot-and-mouth disease.Canine distemper virus infection is very rare in jackals. It is common among stray dogs. Though the condition of the remaining jackals are not serious, yet survival chances of these animals are bleak. Above all, the disease is airborne. The presence of infected animals would put the lives of other animals at risk.The zoo authorities had held meetings with officials of Chief Disease Investigation Laboratory in Palode, Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Disease control.They had decided to shift animals to other locations. But fearing the spread of disease to other animals, the authorities felt euthanasia is the only way out.The animals in the zoo are currently not vaccinated against the canine distemper virus. So far, no study has been conducted on the effects of live attenuated virus on these animals.Vaccinating with dead virus would not have the desirable impact either. The other animals in the zoo are being screened. And the jackals are currently kept in isolation.