The Nandankanan Zoological Park has lost its only pair of marmoset monkeys after a poisonous snake reportedly entered their enclosure and fatally bit them early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. in enclosure 59(F) of the zoo’s Monkey World section, which houses several exotic primates.
According to reports, the snake managed to slip into the enclosure and attacked the two marmosets within an hour. Both animals succumbed shortly after the bites, wiping out the zoo’s entire lineage of the rare species.
Animal lovers and conservationists have strongly criticised the zoo authorities, alleging gross negligence. They pointed out that the enclosure was specially designed to prevent outside animals from entering, raising serious questions about how the snake breached the wire mesh.
The tragedy has sparked calls for a high-level inquiry into the zoo’s safety measures and accountability of officials. Wildlife enthusiasts fear that such lapses could endanger other rare species housed at Nandankanan.
Zoo officials have yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, while investigations are underway to determine how the snake entered the enclosure.
