The results are awaited. Chennai: Forest officials in Erode district have sent samples from the carcass of a serval cat for laboratory analysis after the exotic animal died on Monday while in the custody of alleged wildlife trafficker S K Kesavanathan, of Perundurai.
Wildlife officials said the death underscores the risk to the surviving animals. They said the district court should, at least now, permit forest authorities to shift the remaining servals to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur. “By shifting the animals immediately to Vandalur zoo, further death of the trafficked exotic wildlife could be saved,” a senior wildlife official said. He said that the zoo has a state-of-the-art veterinary care facility, and that authorities can seek expert opinion from Madras Veterinary College if required.
Officials said the cause of the cat’s death would be known only after the analysis is completed. The authorities shall maintain proper records of such births and deaths, monitor the animals and their offspring in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations,” said the court. the Erode district court had laid down conditions regarding the animals While granting bail to Kesavanathan in the first week of Sept. “In the event of any reproduction or death among the animals, the respondents shall immediately inform the concerned authorities.
The case is pending before the court.