SHIVAMOGGA: The death of Shivamogga zoo veterinarian Dr Sameeksha Reddy has raised questions about a possible lapse in safety protocols at the facility.Former veterinarian Dr Muruli Manohar, who is still attached with Shivamogga Zoo and Tiger and Lion Safari at Tyavarekoppa as a consultant, said he had not authorised Dr Reddy to check on a hippopotamus, while zoo director V M Amarakshar further clarified that although the 27-year-old veterinarian had permission to check on the birds, her entry into the hippopotamus enclosure at night was unauthorised. Amarakshar added that assistance would have been provided had she asked for it.Officials at the zoo noted that Dr Reddy’s dedication was well documented, yet, as a trainee, she ought to have followed the directives of her superiors. Dr Reddy had recently been recognised for treating an aged leopard named Bhadra. However, her passion for wildlife reportedly led her to bypass mandatory safety protocol on Thursday night.During her rounds, Dr Sameeksha Reddy is believed to have tried to enter the hippopotamus enclosure to check on an animal that had been off its feed for four days and was thought to be pregnant. She asked her driver to arrange a ladder to descend into the enclosure and examine the hippo using a thermal imaging camera. However, the animal reportedly got agitated and shook the ladder, causing Dr Reddy to fall into a pond in the hippo enclosure, where she was attacked by the animal. Her driver managed to pull her out, but not before she had suffered grievous injuries. The incident has triggered outrage among wildlife activists, who have questioned the zoo management, citing lack of night-patrol vehicles and absence of senior supervision.
