Final post-mortem report could reveal underlying factors behind the penguin’s death and help to protect the survivors, but doctors are merely trying to fob off the work on each other
The report might help the zoo ensure that the remaining seven penguins don’t meet the same fate. File pic
Even as debate rages on over the death of Dory, a 1.5-year-old Humboldt penguin at Byculla zoo, the authorities don’t seem to be in any hurry to find out what really killed her. Nearly two weeks have passed since the female penguin’s death on October 23, but the doctors in charge of the final post-mortem report are merely passing the buck.
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All-important
The initial post-mortem report had revealed that the penguin had likely died because of a bacterial infection in the intestines. However, only the second, more detailed report can explain the underlying cause that led to the infection. It might also reveal whether the penguin’s death was due any errors on the authorities’ part. Eventually, this information will help to ensure that the remaining seven penguins don’t meet the same fate.
This information is supposed to come through in the bacteriological and histopathological report from the Bombay Veterinary College in Parel. “The pathology department is supposed to send the second report on the post-mortem but they haven’t sent it yet,” said Dr Sanjay Tripathi, Byculla zoo chief.
Passing the buck
It is primarily the pathological department that is responsible for the report. However, Dr Pramod V Meshram, associate professor in the department (who also conducted the first post-mortem), said, “The samples have been sent to the microbiology department for analysis. They will submit the report.”
But when mid-day cross-checked with the microbiology department, Dr Rajesh Parande said, “We haven’t received any new samples recently from the pathology department. We already sent our report on the samples that were sent earlier.”
'Bring new experts'
On the other hand, activists are of the view that none of these doctors are even qualified for the job. “None of them has handled a penguin before, so how would they know what was wrong with this one? They should get experts from outside who are competent in handling such cases,” said animal activist Anand Shiva, who has been long campaigning for better care for the penguins. “These are mere blame games. This attitude of the doctors shows just how serious we are about the animals,” he added.
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