Twenty-eight blackbucks have died under mysterious circumstances in the Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo here in the past three days, a zoo official said on Saturday. The zoo had 38 blackbucks of which 28 have died. Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwra Khandre has ordered a probe into the deaths.

According to Assistant Conservator of Forest Nagaraj Balhasuri, eight blackbucks died two days ago, while 20 died on Saturday. He said the veterinary doctor at the zoo suspected that they died due to a bacterial infection though actual cause was yet to be ascertained.

“We have sent the viscera sample to the authorities at Bannerghatta Zoological Park to find out the reason behind the death,” Bale said. The minister said preliminary reports indicate that these deer died of an infectious disease, and all pre

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