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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Kanpur and Gorakhpur zoos extend closure amid bird flu concerns
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. So far, four animals had succumbed to bird flu - a lion on April 30, leopard Mona on May 8, tigress Shakti on May 7, and a wolf. Yadav stated that the condition of another infected tigress 'Mailani', aged 14, was currently stable. Though she had lost appetite and her eyesight weakened, her condition was under control. Four other infected animals were also reportedly showing signs of improvement. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath took feedback on the situation during a review meeting held at the Gorakhnath temple. Officials briefed him on the recent deaths of big cats at the zoo and measures being taken to control the spread of infection. Forest minister Arun K Saxena said, 'We are keeping a close watch on the situation at all three zoos and reports of animal samples and their health are being analysed by experts.' Kanpur zoo director Shraddha Yadav confirmed on Tuesday that lion 'Shankar' and lioness 'Uma' had shown significant reduction in appetite over the past few days. Their health was under close observation and fresh samples were collected for laboratory test. Two other lions, 'Nandini' and 'Asam' had also been tested as a precaution. The zoo had already sent 35 samples of animals — including those of birds and big cats — to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. However, delays at the Bhopal facility, where a backlog of cases persists, mean that most reports were still pending. Only two samples had so far tested positive for avian influenza — one from a lion and another from a peacock. The situation began escalating on May 10, when a peacock in the zoo was found ill and later died during treatment. The post-mortem analysis revealed that the bird had contracted avian influenza. Days later, 'Pataudi', an Asiatic lion, transferred from Gorakhpur Zoo, fell ill and subsequently died. Zoo authorities acknowledged that the protocol may not have been strictly followed during the transfer process. 'At that time, no one was aware of the bird flu transmission,' Yadav said. To mitigate further risk, several animals had been relocated to other enclosures within the premises. The zoo director reiterated that reopening will only be considered after all pending reports were receieved and confirm absence of infection.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Bird flu scare: All UP zoos, lion safari shut for visitors till May 27
LUCKNOW/GORAKHPUR/KANPUR All zoos in Uttar Pradesh, along with the Etawah Lion Safari, will remain closed for visitors till May 27 as a precautionary measure to ensure that all protocols for H5 avian influenza are followed for the safety of birds and animals, said forest minister Arun K Saxena on Tuesday. Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Kanpur zoos were already shut till May 20 in wake of bird flu deaths but the closure has now been extended. 'The closure of zoos is precautionary, and to ensure all protocols for H5 avian influenza are followed for safety of birds and animals,' said Saxena. The closure of the Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park in Gorakhpur may be extended further said officials. A public notice regarding the indefinite closure has been posted at the zoo entrance. So far, deaths of Tiger 'Keshri', aged over seven years, on March 30, followed by that of a leopard on April 7, Tigress 'Shakti' on May 8, Lion 'Pataudi' on May 15, and a peacock have been confirmed due to bird flu in Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos. A team formed by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is on an inspection at Gorakhpur zoo, where the first death was reported. The team includes officials from the animal husbandry department, Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) and officials from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. On the second day of their investigation, the panel collected random samples from key animals, including a Barbary Lion and two other big cats. Besides, more than 50 environmental samples were collected, including bird droppings, surface swabs, and drinking water sources. Gorakhpur zoo director Vikas Yadav stated that the extended closure is a precautionary measure to prevent any potential outbreak. Meanwhile concerns rose following the discovery of dead crows within the zoo premises. As of Monday evening, the total number of crow deaths on-site rose to nine. Veterinary staff sent the latest samples to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, for further analysis. Meanwhile, Covid protocols have been implemented in one-kilometre radius around the Kanpur zoo in wake of the avian influenza scare. The action follows the deaths of a lion and a peacock within the past week, prompting concern among local authorities and residents. Additional CMO Dr Rajeshwar Tiwari said Covid protocols have been enforced as avian influenza can be transmitted to humans. 'People must wash their hands regularly, wear face masks, and maintain physical distance,' he said, adding a medical team will monitor the area, examine residents, collect samples where required, and provide medicines as needed. A significant population resides around the zoo. One of the housing projects developed by the Kanpur Development Authority is situated adjacent the zoo's hospital and incineration zone. Many residents living close to the facility have expressed concern and kept their windows shut as a safety measure. Central Zoo Authority (CZA) officials are expected to carry out an inspection of the zoo on Wednesday and likely to recommend additional steps to prevent spread of infection. According to regional forest officer Naved Ikram, no animal deaths were reported on Tuesday. He noted that blood and swab samples from 11 animals have been sent to a laboratory in Bhopal, and the results are expected by Wednesday morning. Samples from zoo staff and water collected from various parts of the zoo have also been submitted for testing. 'At present, the situation appears to be under control,' Ikram said. Two tigresses, Aadya and Pushpa, reportedly consumed only half their usual meal on Tuesday, and their condition is being watched closely by veterinary staff.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
After lion & peacock, Brahminy duck dies at Kanpur zoo now
1 2 Kanpur: After a lion and a peacock, a Brahminy duck died at the Kanpur zoo on Saturday evening. The staff conducted sanitisation of the enclosure after safely removing the carcass, which was dispatched to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for examination. While a 15-year-old Asiatic lion named Pataudi died on Wednesday night, a peacock was discovered lifeless on Thursday evening along the jungle safari route. The specimens from both animals were dispatched to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) Bhopal for analysis. Meanwhile, forest ranger Naved Ikram said that samples of more than 100 zoo staff have been taken for IT-PCR tests by a team from the district health department under the supervision of the chief medical officer. According to him, all the animals and birds are being checked every two hours. They are being given multivitamins to boost their immunity along with their food. Samples from several other animals and birds were taken on Sunday and are being sent to the lab. It is expected that their reports will be available by Tuesday. The lion's sample was previously forwarded to the Bareilly laboratory from Gorakhpur Zoo, with the district administration awaiting the conclusive report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo On Saturday, Bhopal's NIHSAD laboratory confirmed the presence of bird flu. A team comprising additional director Dr Rajendra Prasad, joint director Dr Vivekanand Gangwar, joint director Dr Rajeshwar Singh, additional director Dr Anil Kumar Gehlaut, chief veterinary officer IDN Chaturvedi, alongside zoo veterinary officers and rangers, examined the lion's enclosure. The team also assessed the birds and wildlife in the hospital area, conducting a two-hour investigation into their dietary patterns and other variables. Zoo director Shraddha Yadav announced that a one-kilometre radius surrounding the zoo has been designated as a red zone. The facility has been sectioned into six zones, with sanitisation machines in operation. They have also acquired a new large machine. The administration is implementing measures to safeguard the wildlife while maintaining records of their food and water consumption. Currently, all remaining animals are reported to be in good health.
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
After 4 bird flu deaths, Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos step up monitoring and test staff
After a report from a Bhopal-based laboratory confirmed the presence of a bird flu strain in four animals that died at the Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos in Uttar Pradesh, the zoo authorities have started testing their staff as a precaution. Each zoo employs over 100 staff members. Samples of animals housed in the two zoos are also being sent for testing to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly. Special attention is being given to animals showing abnormal behaviour, such as loss of appetite, and their samples are being collected for analysis. Regular sanitisation is being carried out at both zoos and zoo staff have been instructed to strictly adhere to all precautionary measures. This month, a tigress, a wolf and a leopard died at the Gorakhpur zoo and the tigress and the leopard tested positive for bird flu. At the Kanpur zoo, samples of a tigress and a peacock found dead last week were sent to the laboratory for examination and both tested positive. Since the report was received, regular sanitisation has been carried out at the Gorakhpur zoo, officially known as Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Park, and the Kanpur Zoological Park. Shraddha Yadav, director of the Kanpur zoo, stated, 'Testing of the entire zoo staff is underway.' A team led by the chief medical officer of Kanpur has arrived to conduct the tests. The Kanpur zoo employs around 106 staff members. Yadav also mentioned that random samples from animals housed in the zoo were being sent for examination. Vikas Yadav, director of the Gorakhpur zoo, said that all 105 staff members were examined and all were found negative. He added that a few samples of animals from the zoo had been sent for testing. The poultry farms in Kanpur and Gorakhpur are also being sanitised and samples are being sent for examination. Directions have also been issued to restrict the entry of outsiders to all poultry farms in the districts. The workers of poultry farms were advised to enter the farms only after getting properly sanitised besides adopting other measures. Last week, after the tigress that died recently at the Gorakhpur zoo tested positive for a strain of bird flu, the government took several precautionary measures, including a week-long closure of three zoological parks and the Lion Safari in Etawah for visitors, along with continuous surveillance of animals housed in these facilities. Aditi Sharma, director of the Lucknow zoo, said that since no animals had died at the zoo recently, no samples had been sent for testing. She added that if any animals showed abnormal behaviour, appropriate action would be taken. Anil Patel, director of the Lion Safari in Etawah, said the animals were being monitored closely, but none had shown any abnormal signs thus far. 'No samples have been sent for testing from here,' he added.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Second feline death due to bird flu in Uttar Pradesh confirmed
The lion Pataudi, which died at the Kanpur zoo on May 15, was infected with avian influenza, officials said on Friday. This was the second feline death due to H5N1 in the state since May 7, when the tigress Shakti died at the Gorakhpur zoo. A peacock was found dead on the safari route inside Kanpur zoo on Friday, said forest ranger Naved Imran. Its carcass was incinerated after taking samples that will be tested for the bird flu infection. Following confirmation of the second feline death due to bird flu, tiger sanctuaries too have alerted their staff to watch out for any unusual behaviour among the wild animals or deaths in the tiger reserves . 'We have alerted our staff to remain alert though the chance of infection in a tiger reserve is negligible as animals here stay away from humans and domestic animals,' said H Rajamohan, director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Meanwhile, speaking about the death of Pataudi, Kanpur zoo director Sharadha Yadav said on Friday: 'The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, has confirmed that the lion was infected with the H5 strain of avian influenza.' Pataudi was shifted from Gorakhpur zoo to the Kanpur zoo for treatment on May 11 after the death of Shakti. Pataudi's samples were collected on May 5. All zoos in Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Kanpur) and the Etawah lion safari are closed till May 20 as a precaution against bird flu. Yadav stated that the IVRI Bareilly report confirmed the infection. 'The H5 strain of avian influenza has been identified in the report,' she said. 'Samples collected after Pataudi's death have also been sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, for further confirmation,' Yadav said. Pataudi's samples had initially been sent to IVRI Bareilly by the Gorakhpur zoo authorities after Shakti's death. The report, which arrived on Thursday, confirmed the experts' fears. The lion had stopped eating and was only consuming water in the days leading up to his death, though veterinarians were administering fluids intravenously. Pataudi was brought from Junagadh (Gujarat) to Etawah Lion Safari in 2019. The lion was later transferred to the Gorakhpur zoo in 2021 along with the lioness Mariyam. Pataudi was already under the care of the IVRI team at Gorakhpur Zoo after he lost his appetite and became inactive. Mariyam died in April 2024, and a change in Pataudi's behaviour had been observed since her death, according to officials. Precautionary measures are being taken in all affected zoos to contain the spread of the virus. Yadav said, 'Pataudi's carcass was incinerated in accordance with established protocols.' A team of experts is strictly monitoring the animals, and sanitization efforts are underway across all enclosures. Zoo staff have been instructed to wear masks at all times. 'We are taking all necessary steps to keep the animals safe,' Yadav added. 'We are also following a diet protocol designed to boost their immunity.' The zoo staff who looked after Pataudi have also been screened for infection.
