Plea In SC Raises Safety Concerns Of Zoo Animals Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

While hearing a plea regarding concerns of COVID-19 infection to animals in zoological parks across India on Tuesday, the Supreme Court observed that according to their information, animals do not die of the novel Corona virus.

Animal rights activist, Sangeeta Dogra had filed this writ petition expressing anguish over Zoos not being included in the list of essential services and the failure on part of the Central Zoo Authority to notify the Centre of the same. Stating that Zoo animals are dependant on authorities for food, Dogra claims several violations on part of the Zoo Authority in ensuring the same for them.

The petition goes on to apprise the Court that the Delhi Zoo had invoked the Essential Services Act to ensure supplies for their animals, however no such information was available to any of the other zoos in the country.

In the backdrop of reports that a Tiger in Bronx Zoo in the United States of America was recently tested positive for COVID-19, the petitioner raised issues regarding safety and caution thereof. When this point was raised during the hearing, the Bench comprising of CJI SA Bobde and Justice L. Nageswara Rao stated that "animals didn't die of Corona", as per the information furnished to them. It was informed thereon that while that may be the case, animals could contract the virus from humans and further transmit the same.

While arguing the matter, Dogra informed the Bench that the Hyderabad zoo had sent a sample for testing on March 5 and urged the Court to order in house doctors to intervene and provide medical treatment for wildlife inside the zoos. However, the CJI intervened as this prayer was not recorded in the petition and thus directed the same to be amended. The matter will now be taken up for consideration on April 13.

In light of requirements for food supplies, the petitioner has sought directions to the Government to add "Zoo animals, medical management, food and diet supplies as essential services across the country" as well as allowing weekly transport for the same. Additionally the prayer seeks directions to the Central Zoo Authority to immediately shut down slaughterhouses near zoos and also handover charge of the Authority to the Indian Veterinarian Association.