New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) Over 300 animals died in the National Zoological Park in the national capital during 2016-17, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Also Read - Smart City Index 2020: Indian Cities Drop in Global Smart City Index; Singapore On Top

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said in a written reply that some of the animals which died included black buck, Indian Gazelle, monitor lizard, emu, spotted deer and others. Also Read - International Flights: Air India Plans To Operate Special Flight From Basra To New Delhi On September 17 | Details Here

“In last one year (2016-17), total mortality of animals in the National Zoological Park at Delhi is 325,” he said. Also Read - Sex on Their Minds! Online Sale of Sex Toys Rises to 65% Post COVID-19 Lockdown in India, Mumbai Tops the List

He was asked whether the zoo had recorded the highest mortality in the last one year.

Vardhan said many reasons including shock, tuberculosis, traumatic shock, senility among others, were behind the animal deaths.

Recently while replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, the minister had said that heat stroke and cold triggered by extreme weather conditions had killed 24 animals in various zoos of the country in 2016-17.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.