Overview
- One more blackbuck died on Sunday, taking the toll to 29 over four days at Kittur Rani Chennamma Mini Zoo in Belagavi.
- Veterinarians from Bannerghatta conducted second-round post-mortems and collected food and water samples while the 10 remaining blackbucks were isolated.
- Preliminary assessments point to a bacterial infection, with earlier local lab indications citing clostridia and separate reporting mentioning hemorrhagic septicemia as a possibility, though confirmation is pending.
- Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered a high-level inquiry and warned of action if negligence is established, and Zoo Authority of Karnataka officials inspected the facility.
- Conflicting early explanations given to authorities and the media have intensified scrutiny of zoo practices as forensic and laboratory results are awaited.