Forest Minister Arun K Saxena Said That a Close Watch Is Being Maintained on the Three Zoos.

The Lucknow facility will take a call on extending closure today

- HT Correspondent

LUCKNOW/KANPUR/GORAKHPUR: Kanpur and Gorakhpur zoos extended their closure until June 10 and June 4, respectively, amid bird flu concerns while the Lucknow facility will take a call on Wednesday.

Lucknow zoo authorities said there was neither any instance of bird flu nor any animal fell ill on the campus. "The decision to open the zoo for public will be taken on Wednesday," said Aditi Sharma, director, Lucknow zoo.

Enclosures at the Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park in Gorakhpur had been covered with nets to protect animals from wild birds, suspected to be carriers of the bird flu virus.

Gorakhpur zoo Director Vikas Yadav informed that samples from the infected animals were sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. The zoo's closure began on May 13, which was extended following confirmation of H5 avian influenza virus in tigress 'Shakti' that died on May 7.