Captivity challenges: Study finds ailments in zoo animals
2
3
4
5
6
Kolkata: Disease diagnosis of animals at Alipore Zoological Garden, one of the oldest in the country, has unearthed frequent cases of lameness, hepato-renal abnormalities (liver and kidney diseases), and respiratory complications.
According to experts, this points to challenges of life in captivity due to a lack of natural food or prey, movement space, and natural habitat.
The findings of the study, conducted since 2022 by the zoo veterinary hospital's research wing, were published in the latest (2023-24) annual report of the zoo. The findings were arrived at following the use of modern diagnostic imaging techniques and X-ray on herbivores, tigers, leopards, primates, birds, snakes, and tortoises, ultrasonography on leopards, tigers, jungle cats, primates, snakes, and tortoises, and rigid endoscopy on birds and snakes.
"They found cases of lameness, i.e., animals becoming inefficient in walking and weight-bearing, for which irregular movements and less use of limbs are suspected to be the most influential variables in these captive animals," a zoo official quoted the report.
You Can Also Check:
Kolkata AQI
|
Weather in Kolkata
|
Bank Holidays in Kolkata
|
Public Holidays in Kolkata
A vet associated with the state's animal resources development department said more than the lack of space, it is the food habit or lack of natural prey that is responsible for lameness among animals.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep
ResMed
Buy Now
Undo
"The meat of slaughtered animals, no matter how fresh, cannot replace the natural prey of a tiger. In the long run, animals suffer from a lack of minerals and calcium, often leading to degenerative changes in their joints with reduced joint space," he said, adding that the use of vitamin supplements is a must in such cases.
Former Alipore zoo vet, D N Banerjee, said, "Apart from space constraints, nutritional issues, too, are responsible for this."
A zoo official said in case of bone diseases, they give animals medicines, change their diet, and alter environmental enrichment in enclosures.
The research team also found profuse respiratory complications, like pneumonia, cough with a wheezing sound, and occasional open-mouth respiration, in snakes, birds, and mammals. According to the ARD department vet, this is often found in tortoises. "Their enclosures should not be hot and humid.
There should be a balance between light and shade. There should also be natural water sources. This may not always be possible to ensure due to lack of space," he said.
The USG diagnosed animals with uterine problems and liver-kidney abnormalities. "Abnormalities in the food habit can also be a trigger," said a vet, adding: "In captivity, birds that prefer fish are often fed fish procured from suppliers. That contains some enzymes that thwart the absorption of vitamins and minerals during digestion."
The vet team also examined samples of raw buffalo meat, which is less fatty and contains fewer bones, and is the prime food source for large carnivores at the zoo. "Due to its high nutrient content, it is considered an excellent medium for growth of pathogenic organisms. We tested 37 raw buffalo meat samples and except one, all were positive for E. coli. We also found staphylococcus bacteria, mostly in summer, and various yeasts and molds throughout the year.
However, despite bacterial and fungal loads, none seemed to cross the threshold value and no pathogen-borne disease has yet been recorded at the zoo," said the official.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
India's own astronaut training & space psychology protocols ready
Pic credit: IAF BENGALURU: In a milestone for India's human spaceflight ambitions, the country has indigenously validated its first medical and psychological selection and training protocols for astronauts. The validation was achieved through the successful completion of 'Anugami', a ten-day — July 7 to 17 — human space analogue experiment conducted jointly by the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) and ICMR, in Bengaluru. The exercise, part of the larger Gaganyaan Analogue Experiment (Ganex) that is aimed at shaping India's long-term human spaceflight programme. Until now, astronaut preparation in India has leaned heavily on international collaborations, with candidates sent abroad for specific mission training. But Ganex marks a shift towards building indigenous systems that can train, monitor, and prepare Indian astronauts at hone for future missions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo Diverse Participants At the heart of Anugami was a diverse crew designed to simulate real-world complexities of human space missions. Group Captain Angad Pratap, a Gaganyaan astronaut-designate led the mission. While the other two participants were Commander Rajiv Prasanna, a naval MiG-29K pilot with survival training experience, and Mohana Sai Akula, an independent analogue astronaut and civilian researcher from the Centre for Advanced Research in Space Psychology at IAM. This mix allowed the team to capture data across a range of performance baselines—from elite military pilots to civilian scientists—reflecting the broader participation India envisions for its future space programme. The ten-day mission, sources said, tested protocols that go beyond standard astronaut training and maintained international standards. For nine and a half days, the crew lived in a closed, space station-like environment, adhering to strict food and sleep routines, conducting onboard scientific experiments, and managing interpersonal dynamics in isolation. The final segment focused on launch and re-entry simulations, mirroring human spaceflight procedures. Key Tests Among the key tests were yoga and mindfulness routines adapted for microgravity, and terra-farming experiments using controlled light environments to study plant growth in space-like conditions. Medical emergency management was a central part of the exercise. The crew rehearsed responses to scenarios such as panic attacks, eye injuries from foreign objects, and fractured limbs. By the mission's end, participants could independently perform basic medical checks, including ECG and EEG tests, using simple protocols designed for space conditions. Civilian Astronaut An emotional and cognitive monitoring system called ECHO (Emotional and Cognitive Health Observation) was also tested. This system mapped mood patterns to specific triggers and monitored how psychological interventions—such as meditation or structured communication—helped the crew recover from stress or fatigue. Crucially, Anugami's outcomes will inform not just the human spaceflight missions but the country's plans for its own space station project. The data collected helps tailor astronaut training frameworks to different backgrounds. 'For civilian researchers, clearer cognitive and physical benchmarks have now been established. For military-trained personnel, the protocols adjust for prior experience in high-performance or survival environments,' one source said. 'We are building for the long term, creating a spectrum of selection and training models for various types of Indian citizens, not just career test pilots or air force crew,' another source said. Eyes On Future According to the Indian Air Force, Anugami marks a leap forward in the IAF's contribution to the Indian space programme. The mission was launched by DK Singh, director of Isro's Human Space Flight Centre, and concluded in the presence of Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, director general of medical services (Air). Ganex will now continue with further experiments. Future simulations are likely to take place in extreme environments such as submarines, oceanic vessels, the Rann of Kutch, or Ladakh, feeding into a broader roadmap for India's human spaceflight future.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Chintapalle emerges as coral hotspot in Vizag reef survey
1 2 3 4 Visakhapatnam: A recent study, conducted by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) across 15 sampling sites along the Visakhapatnam coast from Pudimadaka to Chintapalle, has identified 15 coral species, representing 12 genera and nine families. Among these sites, Chintapalle recorded the highest diversity with 12 species, followed by Rushikonda (six species), Pudimadaka (five), and Mangamaripeta (three). Three coral families, including Poritidae, Agariciidae, and Dendrophylliidae, emerged as particularly dominant across all surveyed locations. The highest live coral cover was observed at Chintapalle beach (23%), followed by Rushikonda (20%), Pudimadaka (15%), and Mangamaripeta (5%). Analytical comparisons revealed that Chintapalle and Rushikonda formed a distinct cluster due to their richer species diversity and greater coral cover, likely attributable to their proximity and similar habitat characteristics. In contrast, Pudimadaka and Mangamaripeta appeared more ecologically isolated, a pattern driven by lower species richness and differing benthic features. The study — said to be the first of its kind in the region in recent years or perhaps decades — was carried out over a four-year period from 2019 to 2023, employing Scuba diving and digital photography. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo It was undertaken by a research team from the Zoological Survey of India (Kolkata), and Sunderban regional centre (Canning), comprising Joseph Stanley Yogesh Kumar, Arya Sen, Pradip Panda, and Chelladurai Raghunathan. The study was published in the 'Environmental Science Archives' journal two weeks ago. Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support rich marine biodiversity and contribute significantly to the ecological and economic well-being of coastal communities. "Among the sites studied, Chintapalle beach exhibited the greatest coral diversity, followed by Rushikonda, Pudimadaka, and Mangamaripeta. This variation in species richness is likely influenced by factors such as depth, habitat structure, and local environmental conditions. The highest percentage of live coral cover at Chintapalle also indicates a healthier reef ecosystem, in contrast to Mangamaripeta, which recorded only 5% live coral cover," noted the researchers. The ecological implications of these findings are considerable. Elevated coral diversity is frequently linked to increased structural complexity, which provides essential habitats for a wide array of marine organisms, including fish and invertebrates. A diverse coral community enhances reef resilience to environmental stressors such as climate change and pollution. However, the disparities in coral cover and species diversity across the sites also highlight the vulnerability of certain areas — particularly Mangamaripeta beach — which may warrant targeted conservation interventions to restore ecological integrity, they said. "Given the escalating threats to coral reefs globally, including climate change and anthropogenic pressures, there is an urgency of implementing effective management strategies. Targeted measures such as habitat restoration, sustained monitoring, and community engagement are crucial for safeguarding the ecological integrity and ecosystem services of coral reefs along Andhra Pradesh coastline. Such efforts will not only fortify the resilience of these critical marine habitats but also ensure their continued contribution to the ecological and economic health of coastal communities," the researchers added.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Government general hospital in Vijayawada faces shortage of nursing orderlies and support staff
Vijayawada: Shortage of female nursing orderlies (FNOs) and male nursing orderlies (MNOs) at the Vijayawada govt general hospital (GGH) often forces patient attenders to handle patient mobility themselves. This includes shifting patients from hospital wards to scan centres and diagnostic labs using wheelchairs and stretchers. Moreover, complaints about these healthcare assistants demanding money from patients and their attenders in exchange for assistance with patient mobility continue to emerge from time to time, as the govt hospital struggles with a shortage of support staff. "The GGH has 106 FNOs/MNOs rendering services as healthcare assistants for patient care. Of the total 106 strength, four assistants went on long leave and did not attend their duties over the last few months. With the limited availability of the healthcare assistants, the hospital management is assisting patients using most of their services during the daytime to maximise the benefit in patient care," said GGH health inspector Somaraju. At the GGH, the authorities allocated duties to FNOs/MNOs in three shifts (i.e., by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo shift A, B, C) wherein shift A starts at 8 am and ends at 2 pm, while shift B starts at 2 pm and ends at 8 pm. In the third shift, which is shift C, the assistants have to be on a 12-hour night duty from 8 pm to 8 am. Each FNO/MNO is paid Rs 13,000 net salary excluding Rs 2,000 PF, ESI, and other deductions. According to the health inspector, the GGH needs around 300 to 350 FNOs/MNOs daily to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services to the patients. However, the shortage of healthcare assistants continues to plague the patients from accessing healthcare services. "The issue has been there for many months and health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, during a recent inspection of the GGH, took stock of the healthcare assistants shortage and promised to fill all the assistant vacancies across all govt hospitals in the state. We are waiting for the health department to take up a state-wide drive to fill the vacant healthcare assistant posts in hospitals," health inspector Somaraju said. GGH superintendent Dr AV Rao said: "We have proposed to form an agency and recruit FNO/MNO workers on an outsourcing basis as the govt recruitment drive is getting delayed. Proposals have been sent in that regard and we are waiting for the govt's response as it is again the state govt's duty to form an agency and recruit assistants on an outsourcing basis. We are hoping that the issue will be resolved soon as the health minister and department are working to address the assistants shortage issue at the GGHs. "
