SHIVAMOGGA: After some langurs dropped dead around Jog Falls due to food poisoning recently, the Forest Department has decided to put up boards cautioning tourists against feeding these animals.
Four langurs died near the falls in the second week of July, which made officials of Animal Husbandry, Forest, and Health and Family Welfare departments suspect it could be due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) or the dreaded monkey fever.
“The blood and viscera samples of the animals were sent to the Viral Diagnostic Laboratory in Shivamogga and National Institute of Virology, Pune. The samples tested negative for KFD at both labs. The health department has, however, asked forest department to bring to its notice any unnatural deaths of monkeys in the Jog area,” District Health Officer Nagaraj Naik told Deccan Chronicle.
The Gerusoppa forest nearby is the abode of the endangered lion-tailed macaque. Mr Mohan Gangolli, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Sagar division, said that the lab reports suggested the deaths of monkey could be due to food poisoning.
“The Jog Falls receives a large number of tourists during monsoon and these tourists feed the monkeys, inadvertently leading to their death. We have decided to put up boards at the viewpoint, near the Bombay Bungalow, China Gate and Seethakatte Bridge, cautioning tourists against feeding langurs,” he said.
Tourists will be instructed to dispose of leftover food in dustbins placed at these spots. Workers of Jog Management Authority and Jog-Kargal Town Panchayat will also be directed to create awareness among tourists, he said.
