FMD strikes wildlife

MAHENDRANAGAR, May 22: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has taken a toll on wildlife animals in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. The disease has already killed over a dozen animals including six swamp deer, three chittals and three boars.



Chief conservation officer Jagannath Singh said a team led by himself is collecting details about the epidemic. [break]



Singh did not prefer to tell the actual number of wildlife animals killed due to the disease. A team of doctors from Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation had inspected the affected areas and officially diagnosed the disease.



Officials said the death toll was on the rise for lack of timely treatment of infected animals. “There is no treatment other than supplying clean water to contain the disease,” Singh said. “As the ponds are drying out, we are trying to fill them.”



According to the latest census, the reserve is home to over 1,700 swamp deer alone.

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