With Karnataka’s zoos and elephant camps facing a shortage of wildlife doctors, Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday gave in-principle approval to create a separate cadre and appoint 15 wildlife doctors.Death of blackbucksIn the wake of the unnatural death of 31 blackbucks at Kittur Rani Channamma Zoo in Bhutaramanahatti of Belagavi district, Mr. Khandre instructed the existing veterinarians to take necessary precautionary measures until the new wildlife doctors are appointed.He said that doctors have confirmed that the death of blackbucks at the Zoo was due to Hemorrhagic Septicemia - a bacterial infection, and directed that a study be conducted to determine whether the infection was spread through air, water, food or animal keepers.He said that necessary precautions should be taken to prevent it from spreading to other animals and also said that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) be formulated for management of wildlife in zoos.The Minister directed zoo officials that if scheduled animals die in zoos or wildlife sanctuaries, an audit should be conducted without delay and the government should be informed.NegligenceOn the death of a female Indian Gaur on October 31 while shifting the animal into the quarantine enclosure as part of an approved animal exchange program between Bannerghatta Biological Park and Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, he said that there have been complaints about negligence on the part of the officer and staff. Mr. Khandre has asked for a report on this incident.Published - November 18, 2025 08:52 pm IST