Heartbreaking loss at Belagavi zoo: Sudden outbreak claims 29 black bucks

Belagavi: At dawn on Saturday, the Kittur Rani Channamma Mini Zoo woke up to an eerie silence — the kind that settles only after tragedy has passed through.

Inside a fenced enclosure meant to offer safety and care, 20 black bucks lay lifeless, their slender forms still, their glassy eyes reflecting a grief that now haunts Belagavi.

Just two days earlier, eight others had collapsed. By Sunday, the toll rose to 29.

In the span of five days, a herd that once leapt gracefully across the Bhutaramanhatti grounds has been reduced to a tragic memory. What happened to them remains the question echoing through Karnataka’s forest department, wildlife circles, and among anxious citizens who watched the news unfold with disbelief.

A creature of grace, felled by an invisible enemy

The black buck — a protected and symbolically revered species — is known for its delicate beauty and remarkable alertness. Yet, in the last few days, this very alertness failed to save them.

Forest officials suspect a sudden bacterial infection, an outbreak so swift and unforgiving that by the time the first eight carcasses were sent for testing to the Wild Animal Diseases Diagnostic Lab at Bannerghatta, the infection may already have gripped the rest of the herd.

These deer, brought from Binkadakatti Zoo in Gadag and aged between four and six years, had shown no signs of danger.

Veterinary teams from Mysuru and Bannerghatta rushed guidance. Treatment was administered. The enclosure was disinfected. But nature had already dealt a blow far too powerful.

“We have never encountered such an infection in any zoo in the state,” said Assistant Conservator of Forests Nagaraj Balehosur, his voice heavy with concern.

To prevent further spread, the remaining black bucks have been quarantined, and their enclosure closed to the public.

A zoo in mourning, a system under question

What adds to the grief is the quiet cloud of doubt. Forest officials did not respond to queries on whether the veterinary doctor appointed by the Zoo Authority of Karnataka had been conducting regular examinations of the herd. That silence has only deepened the unease.

Should this outbreak have been detected earlier? Could lives have been saved?
Until the viscera reports arrive, those questions remain suspended, unanswered but unavoidable.

Shock, accountability, and a Minister’s warning

Forests and Environment Minister, Eshwar Khandre, visibly disturbed by the tragedy, ordered an immediate and impartial probe. A committee of experts has been tasked with uncovering whether contaminated water or food played a role, or whether the disease was carried in by domestic animals — stray cats, dogs or other carriers.

“This is a matter of deep concern,” Khandre said. “If negligence of any staff is established, action will be taken strictly as per law. Such incidents cannot and must not be repeated.”

On Sunday, Dr. Sunil Panwar, Member-Secretary of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, arrived in Belagavi to take stock of the crisis firsthand. Standing before reporters, he did not hide the gravity of the moment.

“It is an unfortunate incident. Investigations are underway. Strict action will follow if dereliction of duty is proved,” he said, adding that scientists from the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals are now involved.

The grass stands still where they once ran

For visitors, caretakers, and the forest staff who had quietly grown attached to the herd, the empty enclosure now tells a story of abrupt loss.

Those who tended to the black bucks remember their gentle behaviour, their tendency to leap nervously at sudden sounds, and their ritual of gathering under the lone neem tree when the sun dipped low.

Today, only disinfectant powder glistens in the morning light. Where hooves once beat softly on the earth, stillness has settled like a shroud.

A wake-up call for Karnataka’s zoo management

This tragedy is more than the death of 29 animals. It is a reminder — painful, yet necessary — that wildlife in captivity demands the highest standards of vigilance, veterinary preparedness, and accountability.

Every zoo is a refuge, but also a responsibility

The death of these black bucks has forced Karnataka to confront difficult truths:
Are our mini zoos equipped to handle sudden disease outbreaks? Are medical protocols followed with the rigour they demand? Are warning signs sometimes missed?

As Belagavi waits for the final laboratory reports, one hope remains — that the loss of these gentle creatures will not fade as a statistic but will serve as a turning point for better care, stronger systems, and deeper respect for the animals that depend entirely on us.