The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a week-long closure of the Etawah Lion Safari and zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur after bird flu was confirmed in a tigress that died at Gorakhpur’s Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan Zoological Park.
Special directives have been issued to promptly report unusual animal or bird deaths, particularly those potentially linked to bird flu, ensuring swift action around the zoo.
The decision was taken after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials to review the state’s preparedness and response plan following alerts over the H5 Avian Influenza virus.
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H5 Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys.
“As part of the preventive strategy, the CM ordered regular sanitisation of zoo premises and the use of blowtorches where needed. He also emphasised mandatory health screenings for all wild animals and birds, along with strict inspection of their food to prevent any contamination,” a press statement said.
The CM also directed that all zoo staff be fully informed about avian influenza and equipped with PPE kits and other essential safety gear. Adityanath further instructed strict monitoring of all poultry farms in line with safety protocols and tight control over the movement of poultry products.
