Pandemics and Zoo Biosecurity: A Practical Approach

Pashu Sandesh, 12th May 2020

DR RAKESH KUMAR SINGH

Zoological parks are major player in conservation breeding and rescue operations. Captive animal healthcare is one of the crucial components of modern zoo management to attain the larger goal of successful conservation breeding. In this perspective, wild animal health management plays a vital role. In current scenario when a number of diseases are emerging the biosecurity in zoos becomes more significant. Initially when COVID-19 started spreading globally there was little doubt about its host range. Only human beings were thought to be its new host. Though at the time of writing this article there was no concrete evidence that from where the COVID-19 virus originated. But the global warming, if continues at same pace then certainly we are going to face new diseases which are not known to us. No one knows which type of microbes are buried in ice masses since countless times. But one thing is clear that we have to prepare ourselves for emerging diseases. Biosecurity is the only shield which can protect captive animals i.e. wild domestic animals from emerging diseases.

When the news of a tiger, in Bronx zoo, USA, having contracted COVID-19 spread in media alarm bells started ringing for ex-situ management. Numbers of important guidelines were issued by different agencies. However practical approach always remains little bit more challenging. Intensive Preventive measures adopted in a zoo to prevent pandemics should be based on previous experiences in biosecurity, government guidelines and most importantly  practical approach has to be implemented.

Following practical measures may be useful in containment of the pandemics in zoos:-

1. At the zoo entrance all vehicles should be sanitized by mist sprayer and vehicle should be passed through tyre bath containing sodium hypochlorite or any other recommended chemical as per government guidelines.

2. The zoo staff should be first examined for any ailment  and then their hands should be washed and sanitized.

3. All field staff should be provided necessary protective gears. Especially mask and sanitizer bottle which can be kept in pocket. This is worth mentioning that they should be made aware of its importance so that they themselves take initiative for wearing biosecurity gears.

4. Daily wearing of PPE kit is not economically advisable especially if the zoos are running out of funds due to closure of zoos for visitors. However biosecurity remains our main priority therefore the keepers should get their clothes changed in a room near to entry gate.  Once they enter zoo premises they should be encouraged to remain in their allotted area only and unnecessary movement of the staff should be discouraged. Before leaving the zoo they should change their cloth and it should be washed with detergent properly. However if any pandemic is confirmed in zoo inmates or in vicinity of the zoo then use of standard PPE kit should be made mandatory or as per government guidelines

5. The zookeepers and other animal handling staff should be advised to get all their works finished in one go in order to minimize their contact with animals. For this it’s necessary that meat supplier should be instructed to bring meat early in the morning so that keepers can immediately provide meat to them after daily routine is finished. This will prevent keeper to repeatedly go inside the animal house.

6. All the enclosures and animal houses should be sanitized with suitable sanitizers and as per recommendation of the manufacturer. Since some disinfectant work for several days therefore such disinfectant should only be used in order to avoid daily disturbance to the animal. It also reduces men power and cost of sanitizing. However, the task should be supervised by a technical and dedicated person in order to ensure proper sanitization.

7. PPE kits should be procured in desired number so that in any untoward condition it is readily available.

8. CCTV network in felid/canid/ursid houses should be strengthened to observe their activity. But it’s not possible to view all activities properly by CCTV recording. Therefore inputs from the animal keeper should taken on following points:-1. Meat/food intake, 2. Water intake, 3. Urination and defecation, 4. Activeness, 5. Nasal discharge and coughing, 6. Laboured breathing, 7.Vomiting. However, it’s advisable each and every animal especially /canids/ursids should be monitored for health issues by zoo vets at least once by keeping safe distance. Apart from above group animals should also be observed especially those animals which are isolated and dull.

9. Isolation cages and quarantine place has to be marked and sanitized in advance for any emergency situation.

10. Zoo vets should be regularly in contact with chief vet officer of the district for exchange of any developments and advisories.

11. All the animals and especially the most sensitive species for the pandemic should be supplemented with immunomodulators or any other preventive medication.

12. Since during any pandemic all the designated labs remain engaged in particular disease testing and  work day and night in interest of nation. Therefore unnecessary routine testing of that disease shouldn’t be included in preventive schedule. Only as per guidelines sample should be sent to designated lab after following strict biosecurity measures.

13. All animal food suppliers should be repeatedly encouraged to report illness of their family members so that some other arrangement may be made to bring animal food from their godown.

14. Government guidelines should be implemented.

Pandemics and new emerging diseases are biggest challenge in zoo animal health management and standard  biosecurity implementation are only key to successful ex-situ management.

DR RAKESH KUMAR SINGH,

VETERINARY OFFICER INCHARGE,

KANPUR ZOOLOGICAL PARK, KANPUR

Email: rkszoovet@gmail.com