Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park at Ormanjhi has taken up special steps to protect around 1,400 wild inmates from the novel coronavirus, more so after a tiger at New York’s Bronx zoo was found to have Covid-19 recently.

The animal enclosures are being sanitised every day.

Around 20 employees, including animal keepers and officials, in the zoological section of the park spread over 87 acres have to undergo sanitisation as well.

“We have been taking preventive measures right from January when we used to conduct sanitisation twice a week. But after February 23, sanitisation is a daily job. All our personnel use face masks and gloves. We conduct fogging, spray anti-viral solution and spread lime daily. Before entering the zoo premises, employees have to undergo mandatory sanitation,” zoo vet Ajay Kumar said.

Zoo authorities are using heat to disinfect cages and enclosures of big cats.

“We are taking utmost care to protect animals from virus after the tiger at Bronx Zoo tested positive for coronavirus. Handlers of big cats use gloves. Regular disinfection and sanitisation are part of standard protocol that we have been following even before the outbreak of the deadly virus. Animal keepers have to use a solution of potassium permanganate to clean their feet before entering the enclosures,” the veterinarian said.

The park has been closed for visitors since March 17.

In February, all the employees of the zoo were screened to ensure that they were not affected by coronavirus.

Recently, zoo authorities have requested Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Vijay Bihari Prasad to conduct thermal screening of the employees once again.

“Though the health officials are quite busy tackling the pandemic, we have been told that the screening will be done very soon,” Kumar added.