Quarantine of Zoo Animals
Quarantine of Zoo Animals is a procedure in which the newly arrived animals into the zoo are kept in confinement in a separate place for a specified length of time.
Each zoo should have the housing and isolation capabilities separately in order to truly quarantine the animals. It is better that the place of quarantine should be away from the zoological park or zoological garden or the zoo.
The quarantine period may be extended depending on the clinical assessment by the attending veterinarian if there is a requirement for that, technically.
Reasons for the Quarantine Procedures
Prevention of the entry of the disease-causing pathogens into the zoo. It is to be remembered that the zoo is having more species as exhibits.
Detection of disease causing pathogens may become possible by the examination of wild animals during the quarantine procedures.
Introduction of Zoonotic diseases in particular is highly avoided or minimized.
Quarantine Period
The quarantine period may be a varying one depending on the concerned wild animal species. In general a minimum of thirty days period is required for the quarantine of various species of mammals.
However, if any new member of same species is added in this period, from that day of addition, again a period of 30 days may be counted. Similar protocols may be adapted for reptiles, amphibians and fish also.
Access of Quarantine Unit
Following persons are the only personnel to enter the quarantine unit:
- Veterinarians of the zoo.
- Staff members responsible for the animals in the quarantine unit.
- Other persons who are specified to enter the quarantine unit by the authorities.
Stress and the Quarantine Activities
Stress is a major factor in case of wild animals in general. It is to be understood that isolation of a social animal from all conspecifics for the purpose of quarantine may be a psychologically stressful event.
Hence, the stress causing factors need to be minimized to a greater extent. Vaccination may be considered whenever required.
Isolation Unit
This unit is meant for the confinement of wild animals that are found to be affected by any infectious diseases that may affect other co-exhibits or nearby wild animals of the same group or the wild animals of another species in a zoological park-environment.
This actually helps to contain the disease and hence, the possible spread of the disease is highly prevented to a greater extent. Subsequent to the isolation, the wild animals kept in the isolation unit have to be treated appropriately and the health condition has to be ensured.
