Nehru park put on alert over avian flu

The temporary shut down of Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore, due to avian influenza (bird flu) threat, has alerted Nehru Zoological Park, here to take necessary precautionary steps to keep the disease off.

The zoo administration officials have undertaken various control and containment measures against avian flu. A team of around four to five members has been deployed to regularly monitor the migratory birds.

Precautionary measures like disinfection of aviary areas and cages are in place. Large metal structures are treated by flame gun for disinfection. Feathers spread around the bird’s enclosures are frequently cleaned and prophylactic antibiotics are being provided in their feed for seven days.

At entry and exit points for visitors, phenyl foot dips have been provided. Movement of visitors in the aviary area has been restricted and bleaching powder is sprinkled all over the zoo.

Besides taking bio-security measures like administering prophylactic antibiotics through feed to birds, zoo authorities are providing mutton to all the carnivorous animals in the zoo instead of chicken and eggs for one month.

Zoo authorities regularly monitor the moments of migratory birds in the zoo and they have also made an arrangement of reflect ribbons in and around in the aviary area to avoid sitting of free ranging birds.