Across India and globally, zoos are an intriguing locus for public health action in the OneHealth logic. They are celebrated as conservation and education spaces, yet they concentrate species from diverse geographical biomes into a compressed area, potentially creating the conditions under which pathogens could jump between hosts, mutate, and *theoretically* spill over into human populations. The One Health framework recognises that human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked...has gained significant policy traction in India through the [National One Health Mission](https://psa.gov.in/one-health) (steered by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and MoEFCC) albeit with limited *actual* engagement (yet) on ground. Karnataka was notably the *first state* to launch a One Health Pilot Project (current status?). Yet the institutions at risk like our public zoos remain largely outside formal One Health surveillance ambit - and hence this test case. Rodents, the most ubiquitous [synanthropic mammals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synanthrope), act as biological bridges: they move freely across enclosure boundaries, feed on food intended for captive animals, and could carry pathogens (Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Salmonellosis, among others) between species who would never otherwise come into contact. In a zoo, where an African ungulate, an Asian big cat, and European waterfowl might share adjacent enclosures, a single reservoir host can create a novel transmission chain. International research, including Lincoln Park Zoo's One Health programme, has documented this risk systematically ==(cite)==. The Central Zoo Authority itself has cautioned against indiscriminate use of rodenticides due to secondary poisoning risks to captive carnivores and raptors (==cite==). Yet no integrated pest management standard currently exists across Indian zoos. This is a governance lacuna with serious consequences. It is also addressable. ## The Specific Case: Mysore Zoo Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is one of India's oldest and most visited zoos. I have visited the zoo since my high school years in Bangalore - a favorite for short school excursions! Perhaps my first tiger (even if not wild) in my 7th or 8th std. Over the course of couple of visits last year (2026-26), I noticed a pervasive and aggressive rat infestation across the majority of animal enclosures: rats raiding feeding stations, acting aggressively toward captive animals, and retreating into what could be extensive subterranean tunnel networks. The zoo's own Master Plan emphasises "naturalistic enclosures" and "exemplary animal welfare," but the infestation is neither documented nor addressed within it. The issue touches multiple policy and legal obligations simultaneously: - **Zoo Rules, 2009 (Rule 10, Schedule 1 & 5):** Zoos are legally mandated to maintain hygiene and a naturalistic environment free from pests causing stress or health hazards. - **National One Health Mission:** Explicitly prioritises integrated disease surveillance across human-animal-environment interfaces, including zoo settings. - **WAZA Standards:** International biosecurity guidelines require active mitigation of invasive species within exhibits. Beyond the legal frame, there is an experiential one: Mysore Zoo is a flagship heritage institution. Visitors, including children watch exotic and endangered animals competing with rat colonies for their food. This contradicts everything a conservation-education space should convey. ## Action Taken **Letter sent: 11 March 2026** To: P. Anusha (IFS), Executive Director, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru CC: Dr. Sunil Panwar (IFS), Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka; Dr. V. Clement Ben (IFS), Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority; Shri Kumar Pushkar (IFS), PCCF (Wildlife), Karnataka ![[Mysore zoo OneHealth.pdf]] ## Why This Matters Beyond the Zoo The Mysore Zoo case is a test of whether the One Health framework can actually spur institutional action based on such a push/nudge by civic/public health expert engagement. ## Status - [x] Letter drafted and sent (Feb 24, 2026) - [ ] Acknowledgement received - [ ] Response from zoo administration - [ ] Follow-up: Zoo Authority of Karnataka - [ ] Follow-up: Central Zoo Authority Last updated: 2026-03-11 21:57