Another zoo animal has died as a result of infection with the serious bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, prompting zoo officials to conduct a vaccination drive in the neighboring areas.
An elephant succumbed to anthrax at the Similipal Tiger Reserve in the district of Mayurbhanj in Odisha state.
According to an Odisha TV report, blood tests performed by Animal Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) at Phulnakhara area in Cuttack confirmed the presence of anthrax organism in the pachyderm.
This is not the first elephant to die from anthrax in Indian sanctuaries in recent months. In December, an elephant from Similipal Sanctuary died from the bacterial disease. Also in December 2014, a one-horned rhinoceros died from anthrax at a zoo in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary in Tripura.
The Odisha TV report notes that six elephants have died in the Core area of the tiger reserve during the last two years out of which two have died of anthrax.
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