Congress MLA N Sampangi called the attention of the minister to the deaths of animals in the park in the Assembly.
Count
The minister in his reply said nine tigers and 11 lions died in the last 14 months. Two tigers died because of old age related health problems. Another two died due to salmonella typhi bacteria infection. The rest four died of pneumonia, brain haemorrhage and renal failure.
According to the medical examination on another tiger revealed that it died because of cyanide poisoning. The police have registered a case in this connection.
All 11 lions died due to old age related problems, Vijayashankar said.
Affected meat
Vijayashankar said that the officers suspected that the animals came in contact with the salmonella typhi bacteria through chicken meat provided for the animals. The department had stopped to provide chicken and eggs for the animals.
The veterinary staff has been instructed to provide food only after subjecting the food stuff into laboratory tests, the minister added.