Hygiene and Sanitation in Zoo

Hygiene and Sanitation in Zoo

Hygiene and sanitation in zoo is important because stray dogs, cats, rodents, snails and insects transmit various diseases both in active and passive manners. Hence, a strict control is to be made on the breeding and elimination of them within the zoo premises, to the possible extent.

Moats wet or dry need to be cleaned in a periodical manner and the prompt cleaning measures need to be undertaken with adequate drying of wet moat.

Algae development may be monitored on the wet moats in particular. Enteric infections may occur when the confined wild animals develop the habit of drinking water.

Bush needs to be cleared with regard to minimizing of incidences with trypanosomes.

Condition on Using Specific Sanitizing Agents

Precautions should be undertaken with each sanitizing agent that is used in the zoological park, as quoted below:

  • Smell of the concerned sanitizing agent is one of the important factors to be taken care of in the wild animal enclosures.
  • The approximate contact time should be maintained for each agent. For example, there is a need of approximately two minutes contact time for the exertion of bactericidal, viricidal and mycobacterial actions of the compounds like iodophors.
  • It is worthy to mention the iodophors are not suitable as hard-surfaced disinfectant.
  • It is better to use the specific disinfectants for the concerned pathogen whether it is a viral or bacterial agent.

Specific Disinfectants

Specific Disinfectant Used for Hygiene and Sanitation in Zoo
Specific Disinfectant Used for Hygiene and Sanitation in Zoo

Equipments to Reduce the Contamination

Use of Class II Bio-safety cabinet may be of helpful to reduce the contamination of the environment in a Zoo laboratory.

Laminar flow may also be used for this purpose.

Zoo Hygiene

  • Usage of suitable disinfectant (natural or synthetic).
  • Proper disposal of carcass.
  • Speedy disposal of feed wastes.
  • Supply of hygienic water.
  • Animal keepers and handlers’ hygiene.
  • Bush clearance (vector control).
  • Disposal of polythene bags.
  • White washing of water containers and walls and feeding tanks in a periodical manner.
  • Adaptation of suitable fly control measures (fly catcher lights) esp. in fed-receiving spots or stores room.
  • Speedy clearance of sheds / cages after the occurrence of diarrheic stools / after the conducting of operation.
  • Strengthening of rodent or pest proof barriers (Vermin control) or cages or fences esp. in aviaries or bird-exhibit places to avoid diseases.
  • Usage of aseptic infrastructures like sterilized needles, syringes, sample-collecting containers etc.
  • Laboratory should be a clean one without giving chances for any types of infections.

Water Hygiene

Periodical examination of water hygiene is to be taken care of well, in a zoological park atmosphere.

Presence of algae, bacterial load esp. any contamination with E.coli, Salmonella sp., toxic materials etc. have to be ruled out, always.

Safe Upper Limit of Toxic Substances

Safe Upper Limit of Toxic Substances in Water for Zoo Animals
Safe Upper Limit of Toxic Substances in Water for Zoo Animals

Assessment on Indicator Status of the Group

If many wild animals of a wild animal species are kept confined in a fenced area of the zoo complex, randomly blood sample should be obtained after the chemical immobilization in a periodical manner and the hematological and biochemical examination, together with the serological examination should be carried out with such sample as a preventive measure of diseases in captive wild animals of the zoological park.

The qualitative and quantitative data to be obtained with these samples will be of more useful ones towards the up-keeping of health status in wild fauna.

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