Source::RSS
CHITWAN
RSS
The Chitwan National Park (CNP) lost 25 elephants since 2002 out of which15 died of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis was first seen in the elephants in 2002 and it continued up to 2016.
According to Dr Kamal Gaire who worked as the veterinary doctor in CNP at that time, tests for tuberculosis was carried out on all elephants, both under the government's care and those owned by individuals, after the disease was found affecting the tuskers in the area.
Tuberculosis was found in 17 elephants belonging to CNP, 41 private elephants and two belonging to the National Nature Conservation Trust. Tuberculosis infection was not seen in elephants for some years after that until 2018.
It is assumed that four elephants died from tuberculosis since 2018. CNP shared this information on Wednesday in the context of the International Elephant Day which is marked on August 12.
CNP's senior veterinary doctor Bijaya Shrestha said tuberculosis infection was found in Deependra Gaja, the elephant that died on August 3. He said the three other elephants that died before might also have died of tuberculosis as problems were found in their lungs upon post-mortem examination.
The national park has 60 elephants while the private hotels have 57 elephants. There are 200 elephants throughout the country. Wild elephants also number around 200.
Shrestha estimates that the second round of tuberculosis has spread in elephants. Dr Shrestha said tests for tuberculosis is being conducted on all elephants- private and government- after the increased risk. The tests would be conducted in a day or two.
