Second Cub of Lynx ‘Iran’ Also Dies
Hassan Akbari, Deputy of Natural Environment and Biodiversity at the Department of Environment, announced the death of the second Asian lynx cub born from three cubs at the Asian Lynx Breeding Center. Akbari stated: The cause of death of this cub is under investigation and the result will be announced after autopsy.
Akbari said: The veterinarian treating the lynx cubs noticed changes in their excretion habits, and with the opinion of a specialist veterinarian, it was decided that the cubs be transferred to a specialized veterinary hospital in Tehran for further examination and veterinary supervision. Unfortunately, one of the cubs died during transfer to Tehran.
The female Iranian lynx, named ‘Iran,’ gave birth to three cubs via cesarean section on the eleventh of Ordibehesht, and environmental authorities announced that all three cubs were female and healthy.
However, the first cub of lynx ‘Iran’ died on the fourteenth of Ordibehesht, three days after birth, and the Department of Environment announced that this cub had been weak since birth and had not gained weight. After autopsy, the cause of death was announced as congenital anomaly of the left lung and lung adhesion.
Following the death of the first lynx cub ‘Iran,’ while it had been previously announced that three lynx cubs born at the Turan Breeding Center were female, Bahram Ali Zaheri, Head of the General Administration of the Department of Environment in Semnan, announced that the two remaining cubs are male.
Previously, Iman Memarian, Veterinary Advisor to the Animal Rescue Organization, had said: The reason for the death of the first lynx cub was improper feeding of the cub. Due to insufficient knowledge in nursing the cubs improperly, milk entered the lungs of the lynx cub and caused its death.
He also stated: The lynx cubs were touched without gloves during cesarean section, and acquiring human scent caused the mother to reject her offspring. The medical team and individuals selected for the cesarean and care of ‘Iran’s’ offspring had never seen a lynx before.
However, Behrang Akrami, the trusted veterinarian of the Department of Environment, described Iman Memarian’s statements as “delusions and rumors spread by a veterinarian.”
According to Hassan Akbari, Deputy of Natural Environment and Biodiversity at the Department of Environment, only the lynx cub ‘Iran’ has been transferred to a specialized veterinary hospital and is under veterinary supervision.
Source: Voice of America
