Instead of using zcat you might consider using core Perl or CPAN modules.

Core Perl:

• IO::Compress::FAQ
• IO::Compress::Gzip
• IO::Uncompress::Gunzip
• Re: PerlIO::gzip can't handle appended stuff by haukex - sample code using core Perl IO::Uncompress::Gunzip

CPAN:

• PerlIO::via::gzip
• PerlIO::gzip

See also:

• Re: Searching a gzip file by Corion - sample code reading via open my $fh, "gzip -cd $file |" and while (<$fh>) { ...
• Difference between gzip -d and zcat (stackexchange) - zcat is equivalent to gzip -dc

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