Mysore/Mysuru: The staff of Mysuru Zoo got vaccinated against COVID-19 virus on Wednesday in the wake of second wave of pandemic sweeping across the country.

The vaccination drive was launched by Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Chairman L.R. Mahadevaswamy here by taking the Covishield vaccine at Amphitheatre in the Zoo premises.

Speaking on the occasion, he said all precautions have been taken as per the Government guidelines. The staff members were thermally scanned at the entrance. Later, they must sanitise their hands. Entry of tourists to the Zoo has been banned in view of COVID Curfew and in spite of this the entire area was sanitised.

Vehicles carrying food for the birds and the animals were disinfected at the main gate.

 For the first time, ZAK has organised vaccination for the employees above 45 years of age. Now, staff above 18 years were inoculated. Officers too have taken the vaccine.

The safety of all birds and animals in all Zoos across the State had been taken. Disinfectants were sprayed on the cages to prevent any kind of infection. Zoo Executive Director Ajith M. Kulkarni, Range Forest Officers Prashanth and Manjunath and others were present.

The Zoo staff have been given strict instructions not to touch any bird or animal as being done in some countries. The animal keepers have to wear hand gloves, masks and then feed the animals. Wet mats are put in the nests. Even keepers were following safe distance from the birds and the animals, said ZAK Chairman L.R. Mahadevaswamy.