Bird flu scare grips UP; all zoos shut

All zoos in Uttar Pradesh and the Lion Safari in the state's Etawah district have been closed to visitors for a week after bird flu was detected in a tigress that died at a zoo in Gorakhpur, officials said Wednesday.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

While authorities have directed enhanced surveillance across zoos and poultry farms, a team formed by the Central Zoo Authority will investigate the impact of avian influenza at the Gorakhpur zoo and submit its report in 15 days, they said.

The zoo shutdown -- effective from May 14 to May 20 -- was ordered in line with directives issued during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday.

Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri said that in light of the confirmed presence of bird flu case at the Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park, the Wildlife Department has swiftly closed all zoos in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Kanpur and the Lion Safari in Etawah to tourists.

Health safety measures for wild animals are being rigorously followed to contain the spread of the disease, the official said.