Swab samples collected from Elephants of temples to test for COVID-19

Puducherry: In the wake of Lions in Vandalur Zoo in Tamil Nadu getting infected by Coronavirus, swab samples of temple elephants of Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam here and Dharbaneswarar Swamy Devasthanam in Kariakal have been collected for COVID-19 test on Tuesday.

An official release on Wednesday said, the swab samples of Elephants were sent to the Veterinary Research Centre in Uttar Pradesh.

Both the elephants were vaccinated and Covid appropriate behaviour is being followed in the temples and at the elephant shelters, the release added.

Last year the temple Manakula Vinayagar Devasthanam had won a battle against PETA (People for the Ethnic Treatment of Animals) to retain Laxmi, the female Elephant.Lakshmi was taken to the Krishi Vigayan Kendra at Kurumambet near here to get a forest environment.

Several Hindu organizations protested this and demanded that the elephant should be at the temple to bless the devotees.the forest department officials suggested that the elephant should be kept in a more wider area and the temple authorities made the arrangements for the same

During this month, 9 lions were tested positive for SARS COV-2  in Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), popularly called as Vandalur Zoo.

Meanwhile, Wildlife department sources said last year there were reports of tigers testing corona positive in bronx zoo, New York.''Subsequently we inspected our feline cats and they were fine. But this year the lions have contracted the deadly virus", the sources

said. (UNI)