18 crocodiles die in captivity

By Our Staff Reporter

KANNUR, DEC. 12. Even as a High Court's interim directive to keep the confiscated animals in the Parassinikkadavu Snake Park under the supervision of a three- member team of Forest officials gave a breather to the embarrassed Forest officials as well as to the park management today, the fresh death of 18 crocodile hatchlings and a fish owl left the officials in an unenviable position, with the entire issue having been taken up as a political one by the UDF against the State Government.

The newborn crocodiles bundled into a gunny bag since Sunday were found dead in the morning when the officials opened the bag for releasing them into a swampy pit in the park. With this, the total number of impounded wildlife creatures, perished under the captivity of the Forest Department, rose to 15.

Two storks and a cobra were found dead yesterday. According to the officials, the cause of their death would be known only after they got the postmortem report.

The officials said it was impossible to keep the confiscated reptiles, animals and birds in captivity for long as they were already under stress due to unhygienic conditions. The faecal samples of all the creatures were sent to the Veterinary College, Mannuthy, for further tests, they pointed out.

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Section  : Southern States
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