3 UP zoos shut for 1 week as tigress dies of bird flu

All three zoological parks and a lion safari in Uttar Pradesh have been closed for a week following confirmation that a tigress at the Gorakhpur Zoo, which died on May 7, was suffering from bird flu.

- Gaurav Saigal and Abdur Rahman

LUCKNOW/GORAKHPUR: All three zoological parks and a lion safari in Uttar Pradesh have been closed for a week following confirmation that a tigress at the Gorakhpur Zoo, which died on May 7, was suffering from bird flu.

"The highest protocol is in place. The zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur and Gorakhpur districts and the lion safari in Etawah shall remain closed for a week," principal chief conservator of forest Wildlife (PCCF-Wildlife), Anuradha Vemuri, said on Tuesday.

Infection in several big cat species, including tigers, leopards, and others is well documented due to their feeding on infected poultry carcasses. Cats are also susceptible to infection because of their risk of exposure to poultry or wild birds.