Representational picture. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: After upending human life, the COVID-19 is now having a dramatic impression on animals the world over. From the coughing tiger hundreds of miles away in New York to the sudden must implement precautionary measures at zoos in Punjab, the virus seems to be hitting like a bolt from the blue.
“We have four major zoos across the province, and as a precaution, all staff members will undergo coronavirus screening,” mentioned Muhammad Naeem Bhatti, Director Basic, Punjab Wildlife Safety and Parks Division.
The transfer comes after animals on the Bronx Zoo in New York, exhibited signs of COVID-19 this week. Whereas veterinarians count on the younger tiger to make full restoration, it won’t be the one animal contaminated with the illness, recognized for its bleak prognosis in people.
Inside hours of what’s now referred to as a case of human-to-animal transmission, the Punjab wildlife division sprung into motion, making arrangments in any respect massive services throughout the province.
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“We manage four large facilities, including the Lahore Zoo, Bahawalpur Zoo, Lahore Safari Zoo, and the DG Khan Zoo,” claimed Bhatti. The director of the wildlife safety division mentioned he ordered a complete report on the well being standing of all animals at zoos throughout the province.
To forestall COVID-19 from spreading, the wildlife division has ordered the common medical screening of animals on the zoos. “After each round of medical exams, veterinarians will submit reports to the director-general,” mentioned Bhatti, who serves because the director-general on the wildlife division.
Animals on the Lahore Zoo, based on the veterinary officer, are receiving a weight-reduction plan that can enhance their immune system. “We are already giving them a special diet to boost their immune system,” mentioned Dr Rizwan Khan, a veterinary officer on the Lahore Zoo.
Closed to public entry as a part of the lockdown, zoos throughout the province are exercising warning. In addition to proscribing public entry, the caretakers must put on protecting gloves and masks throughout their interplay with animals. “All caretakers will wear protective gear when dealing with animals,” mentioned Chaudhry Shafqat Ali, Lahore Zoo’s director.
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Based on particulars concerning the case in New York, the tiger, together with six different large cats, was contaminated by an asymptomatic zoo-keeper, making it the primary recognized case of human-animal transmission. Nevertheless, in an announcement, the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention has since reiterated that there isn’t any proof but that pets can transmit COVID-19 to people.
To this point, in Punjab, based on officers on the wildlife division, there isn’t any proof that animals are exhibiting symptom COVID-19, the tremendous spreader that has claimed greater than 90,000 human lives globally.
In addition to the measures shield the animals towards the virus, the wildlife division has additionally imposed a ban on looking within the province. Commenting on the problem, Chaudhry Badar Munir, an officer on the wildlife division, mentioned: “We have imposed a ban on the hunting of animals including Pangolins, found in the salt range area.”
Printed in The Categorical Tribune, April 14th, 2020.
