Female Hippo Dies At Nandankanan Amid Herpes Scare

Bhubaneswar: Amid series of elephant deaths due to Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus at Nandankanan Zoo in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, an ailing female Hippopotamus died while undergoing treatment at the zoo today.

Zoo authorities said, the hippopotamus had a swelling in the left side of its face near the mouth and was suffering from loss of appetite since September 30.

The pachyderm was initially given oral medication and thereafter treated with injectable antibiotics. However, the animal showed no sign of improvement and breathed her last today, added the zoo authorities.

While post-mortem report of the Hippopotamus revealed "acute pneumonia and haemorrhagic entritis", further bacteriological and histopathological examination will be done later.

With this, the number of hippopotamus in the Nandankanan zoo has reduced to 13 which comprises three males, eight females and two calves.