At least 12 animals have died in the past two weeks in one of the oldest zoos in South India, the Thiruvananthapuram zoo. The animals included two leopard cubs, four spotted deer, two sambar deer, one Malabar giant squirrel and a 13-day-old hippo cub. The leopard cubs died after being infected with the Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), and most of the deer died of a contagious disease spread by flies. "It is true that the leopard cubs died due to FPV, which affects the cat family. But, many deer had died due to age-related ailments. The case of Malabar squirrel was also not different. The hippo cub was killed after it was kicked by its mother hippopotamus under water," said B. Joseph, director of the zoo. "Incessant rain is a major reason for the spread of disease-causing flies in the animal enclosures. It is also a major hurdle for taking up hygienic measures," added Joseph. A nine-member committee was formed to asses the situation. It will be chaired by M.R. Saseendranath, head of the Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, following a directive by Minister for Museums and Zoo P.K. Jayalakshmi. They so far recommended urgent purchase of medical kits, daily health checks and periodic vaccination of the animals and birds, quality checks on water and feed and the appointment of a second vet. The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo was funded in 1857 and it homes around 75 different species of animals on its 55 acres. (Source : DAN)