Latest news with #JissKVarkey
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
After 3 mths, Bondla zoo reopens to public
Panaji: After nearly three months, Goa's only zoo, located at the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, reopened its gates to the public on Wednesday. Forest minister Vishwajit Rane took to social media to welcome visitors back to the zoo, calling it 'a vibrant habitat and an important centre for conservation and awareness in Goa'. The reopening follows confirmation from the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, that samples tested negative for avian influenza (H5N1). NIHSAD, the designated nodal agency for avian flu confirmation in India, has been conducting tests on the samples sent from Bondla since the outbreak. Deputy conservator of forests, Jiss K Varkey, issued an official order on Wednesday stating, 'Consequent upon receipt of two consecutive negative test results for avian influenza from ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, and in accordance with the guidelines of the central zoo authority, it is hereby ordered that the Bondla zoological park will be open for visitors with immediate effect.' The zoo remained temporarily closed since April 1, following the deaths of five animals — three civet cats and two jungle cats — between March 6 and 9. The jungle cats tested positive for the avian influenza virus H5N1 in April, while the cause of death in the civet cats remains unknown. Following the reopening of the zoo on Wednesday, Rane lauded the efforts of the forest department in containing the virus to prevent any further casualties. 'The forest department acted promptly and responsibly to ensure the health and safety of both animals and visitors. All necessary biosecurity protocols were followed during this period. I commend the efforts of all officials involved for their swift and transparent action,' he stated. The zoo receives its highest footfall in the summer, with approximately 6,000 visitors per month during this season. According to data shared by the forest department, footfall unusually spiked in May last year, with 28,449 visitors viewing the wonders of the zoo that month. The zoo lost nearly three months of revenue due to the temporary closure this year as a result. The zoo charges an entry fee of Rs 100 per head. With the green light from govt authorities, the zoo is expected to resume its role as one of the major attractions of Goa.
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Goa zoo reopens after bird flu outbreak
Shut down for nearly three months due to a bird flu scare, Goa's only zoological park opened for visitors on Wednesday. The zoo, located inside the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, was closed on April 1 after three civets and two jungle cats died following a viral outbreak in the second week of March. Subsequently, authorities implemented precautionary measures, including isolating the affected enclosures, and restricted public access. The Forest department sent samples to ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing. Forest department officials said the lab reports confirmed that the two jungle cats died due to avian influenza while the cause of deaths for the civets remained unknown. An order issued by Jiss K Varkey, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Eco-Tourism North Division on Wednesday, said, 'Consequent upon receipt of two consecutive negative test results for Avian influenza from ICAR-NIHSAD Bhopal and in accordance with the guidelines of Central Zoo Authority, it is hereby ordered that the Bondla Zoological Park will be open for visitors with immediate effect.' In a post on X, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that the zoo has been reopened. 'After a brief closure as a precautionary measure, Bondla Zoo has now reopened to visitors starting Wednesday, following confirmation that the samples tested negative for Avian Influenza by NIHSAD, Bhopal. The Forest Department of Goa, acted promptly and responsibly to ensure the health and safety of both animals and visitors.' Rane said all necessary biosecurity protocols were followed during this period. Officials said that according to the protocols of Central Zoo Authority, the zoo could only reopen after two consecutive negative test reports for avian influenza were received. Kamal Datta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, said, 'As soon as information was received about the possibility of the virus, the forest department took proactive action by closing the zoo immediately and sanitising the affected enclosures and taking other precautionary measures. Due to this, the spread of the virus to areas outside the zoo was prevented.'
