But after five days of this unfortunate incident, no one has been held responsible for the death of giraffe, which was being transported from Alipore Zoo to Nandankanan Zoo as part of the exchange programme. Sundar got electrocuted as his neck, jutting out of his cage, touched electric wires on Bombay High Road near Bagnan.

B R Sharma, the member secretary of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), told The Indian Express: “Sundar is the first among the exotic animals to die due to electrocution. Many a times death of animals occur on route as they are not able to withstand the long hours of journey. But I have never heard any exotic animal dying in this unfortunate manner.”

When asked why the CZA is not starting any inquiry against negligence on the part of Alipore zoo or Nandankanan, Sharma said: “Exotic animals are beyond the purview of the CZA. Hence, we cannot interfere in this case. Alipore or Nandankanan can take over the case.”

Washing his hands off the responsibility, Nandankanan director A K Pattanaik said: “Why is the question of inquiry coming up? It is a mere accident. No one is to be blamed for it.” Severing all ties with the animal, a veterinary officer of Alipore zoo said: “Sundar belonged to Nandankanan, not Alipore.”

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), an umbrella organisation for world zoo and aquarium community, has laid down certain basic protocols which are expected to be followed by any zoo authority while transporting an exotic animal from one place to another.