Replacing bird may invite PETA action

Following the death of one of the eight Humboldt Penguins at the Byculla Zoo on Sunday People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has decided to initiate legal action against the civic body and private organisations caring for the birds, if it is decided to replace the dead penguin. PETA has already written to the central zoo authority and the state zoo authority seeking an investigation into Dory’s death, as well as the health of the other penguins.

Animal Rights activist Pawan Gupta, who is associated with PETA said, “We have asked these authorities to investigate into Dory’s death and submit a detailed report of their findings to the government. I am sure something was wrong, as there were reports of the penguin’s illness for some days now and timely action could have saved her life. If the BMC does not act in time now, we will initiate legal action.”

Meanwhile, Mr Gupta has rubbished claims that Dory was ill before she was brought to Mumbai. He said, “Something went wrong during her incubation, and the zoo authorities are unable to find out the reason.”

Shailesh Pethe, who is Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s in-house vet, said, “Food and water intake can be one of the reasons why Dory caught an infection. The postmortem report is extremely vague and does not reveal anything.”

Mr Pethe said, “Septicaemia is caused by a bacterial infection entering the blood stream from another organ in the body. As the postmortem reveals that almost every organ was infected, such as lungs, liver and the intestines, food, water or breathing impure air could all be reasons for the infection.”