Mysore Zoo Southern India
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Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in Southern India. Located on the outskirts of Mysore, the zoo is home to a wide range of wild species. The official name for the zoo is Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, though it is known commonly by its shortened name. Mysore Zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It was established under royal patronage in 1892, making it one of the oldest zoos in the world.
The maintenance and upkeep of animals in the zoo has always been under question. The zoo witnessed a series of animal deaths, reportedly due to improper maintenance. On September 4, 2004, an elephant died, reportedly of acute haemorrhagic enteritis and respiratory distress. This was followed by another elephant’s death on September 7 with the same illness. It was reported that the illness in elephants were due to poisoning. As a safety measure, the zoo authority reportedly suspended several staff members who were allegedly responsible for the “gruesome killings”. Later, the laboratory tests confirmed that the two elephants, named Ganesha and Roopa, had been poisoned. In August 2004, a lion-tail monkey (macaque) was found mysteriously dead. An emu and a tiger were also reported to have died mysteriously.
On October 24, 2004, another elephant, Komala, died with suspicions of poisoning. The elephant was supposed to be sent to Armenia as a goodwill ambassador. That same day, the Chief Minister of Karnataka ordered a probe into the death of Komala.
