HYDERABAD: It's official now. The city's Nehru Zoological Park will not be getting the much awaited zebras from South Africa as the striped animals couldn't get past Indian red tape. The zebras, selected by the zoo authorities were found to have antibodies of piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease, during the preliminary fitness tests. Assuming that they could be potential careers of the disease, the Indian government has ruled out the import, despite wildlife experts highlighting that the disease is common even in India.
Wildlife officials said that piroplasmosis is found in India as well and blamed the stringent quarantine rules in India for the deal to fall flat. "This disease is common in zebras and donkeys and we find it in India as well. Ninety five per cent of the animals in Rajasthan have it. But the quarantine protocol of the airport does not permit this. We had sought an exemption only for this purpose to the quarantine officials at the airport but they did not agree," said Hitesh Malhotra, chief wildlife warden, who had recently visited South Africa to check the condition of zebras before the import.
He further said that the dozen zebras selected for purchase were young, aged between a year and a year-and-a-half and healthy. They were also not exposed to the forest but for the anti-bodies, which they must have acquired from their mothers, they could not be brought here. In fact, a letter in this regard was also written to the Government of India highlighting the prevalence of the disease but a negative response was received recently.
Authorities at 360-acre Zoo Park had started working on this import with Bangkok-based Goatrade Farming at a cost of Rs 60 lakh in the beginning of 2010 after several unsuccessful attempts. This time, they were certain that it would fructify. The 12 zebras were to be distributed among three zoos in the state. As per plans, six were to be housed at the zoo in the city, while two each are to be sent to Tirupati and Vizag Zoo.
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Wildlife officials said that piroplasmosis is found in India as well and blamed the stringent quarantine rules in India for the deal to fall flat. "This disease is common in zebras and donkeys and we find it in India as well. Ninety five per cent of the animals in Rajasthan have it. But the quarantine protocol of the airport does not permit this. We had sought an exemption only for this purpose to the quarantine officials at the airport but they did not agree," said Hitesh Malhotra, chief wildlife warden, who had recently visited South Africa to check the condition of zebras before the import.
He further said that the dozen zebras selected for purchase were young, aged between a year and a year-and-a-half and healthy. They were also not exposed to the forest but for the anti-bodies, which they must have acquired from their mothers, they could not be brought here. In fact, a letter in this regard was also written to the Government of India highlighting the prevalence of the disease but a negative response was received recently.
Authorities at 360-acre Zoo Park had started working on this import with Bangkok-based Goatrade Farming at a cost of Rs 60 lakh in the beginning of 2010 after several unsuccessful attempts. This time, they were certain that it would fructify. The 12 zebras were to be distributed among three zoos in the state. As per plans, six were to be housed at the zoo in the city, while two each are to be sent to Tirupati and Vizag Zoo.
read full story