Guest guest Posted September 3, 2002 Report Share Posted September 3, 2002 ANIMAL WELFARE - Vets fight to save ill leopard. 09/03/2002 Bangkok Post © 2002 Zoo director explains fate of `missing birds' Cheewin Sattha Veterinarians are trying to save the life of a seriously ill male leopard at Chiang Mai zoo. Worries remain that the 15-year-old animal, which had been in good health, might die because it is refusing food. Chatree Khuhatheparak, a vet, said the ailing leopard was suffering from respiratory problems, and they were keeping an eye on him around the clock. Chiang Mai zoo director Thanong Natheepitak said they would do more tests to identify the illness. This would take about a day, and blood tests would follow if the leopard's health did not improve. It was now getting medicine. He stressed the illness was due to natural causes, and not the work of malicious people. The ailing leopard was donated by Dusit zoo eight years ago. Chiang Mai zoo wanted to use the leopard for breeding, but this had not yet begun when it fell ill. In January, a male rhinoceros died of severe diarrhoea after developing an infection. Mr Thanong denied reports that many rare birds had disappeared. He said the reports started while the zoo was repairing cages and installing ventilation systems. During this time more than 60 rare birds were transferred to Dusit zoo. All birds were returned to Chiang Mai zoo on Sunday on completion of the repairs, he said. Two weeks ago representatives from the Auditor-General's Office had inspected the zoo and sought explanations on several issues, including the disappearance of the birds, he said. He said the zoo would soon have three new arrivals, with a hippo, a giraffe and a seal being pregnant. Measures had been taken to prevent a recurrence of the Aug 4 tragedy at Dusit zoo when a baby hippo was killed by adult hippos a day after birth. Police are investigating whether there was foul play. Folder Name: Asia Conservation Leopard Relevance Score on Scale of 100: 98 ____________________ To review or revise your folder, visit http://www.djinteractive.com or contact Dow Jones Customer Service by e-mail at custom.news or by phone at 800-369-7466. (Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 609-452-1511 or contact your local sales representative.) ____________________ Copyright © 2002 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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