Bhubaneswar: A male elephant died while undergoing treatment at Nandankanan zoological park in Bhubaneswar. Chandan, the 10-year-old pachyderm, reportedly fell sick on September 13 with reduced apetite, nasal discharge and swollen glands.
As per the advice of the exprts of Centre for Wildlife Health, OUAT Bhubaneswar, the Zoo veterinarians were treating the jumbo. However, the pachyderm breathed its last at around 3:40 AM today after undergoing treatment for last 36 hours.
“The death of the elephant is suspected to be due to Herpes virus infection. The exact cause of death shall be ascertained after post mortem,” said Nandankanan Zoo officials said in a statement.
With the death of the male elephant, Nandankanan Zoo is now left with six female elephants. Adequate steps are being taken by the Zoo officials to prevent the spread of this virus among other elephants, it added.