The devastating toll, which reduced Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo's blackbuck population to seven, has prompted a high-level investigation from the government

Thirty-one blackbucks have died at a zoo here in just four days due to a bacterial infection, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said on Monday.

The devastating toll, which reduced Kittur Rani Chennamma Zoo's blackbuck population to seven, has prompted a high-level investigation from the government.

According to sources at the zoo, eight antelopes died on Thursday, followed by 20 more deaths on Saturday.

Three more blackbucks died at the facility in the last two days.

Minister Khandre reached Belagavi and held a meeting with the zoo officials.

Later speaking to reporters, Khandre expressed "deep pain" over the deaths and

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