A 24-year-old single horn rhino died in the zoo of Sepahijala sanctuary today, about 35 km from here due to anthrax.
"It was found that the rhino was lying on the ground with blood oozing out of its nose and anus. The zoo authorities contacted a Guwahati-based veterinary specialist for remedies, but the rhino did not take the oral medicine and died," Principal Secretary Dr V K Bahuguna said.
He said, initial examinations proved the rhino was infected by anthrax bacteria, an airborne disease, which spread in humid conditions.
The rhino named Pradip was brought from Assam way back in 1994. A clouded leopard of the sanctuary also died of anthrax in 2012, a zoo official confirmed.
Bahuguna said he had meeting the members of Animal Disease Management Committee (ADMC) to review the situation following the rhino's death and precautions have been taken so that the disease does not spread.
