Delhi zoo shuts down after bird flu scare; 8 water birds, few ducks die

Delhi zoo

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Amidst the prevalent bird flu scare at the Delhi zoo, the concerned authorities have shut down the premises till further notice.

According to the sources, around 8 water birds, few pelicans and ducks have been affected Avia influenza last week.

"The zoo has been shut down until further notice. We have sent samples of a couple of dead ducks to Jalandhar and Mathura. We are awaiting the report," a zoo official said.

These cases come a nearly month after India declared itself free from the highly contagious avian influenza (H5N1) or bird flu.

The official claimed that the influenza will not affect humans and the shutting down of zoo premises was a precautionary measure.

A team of Central Zoo Authority will shortly visit the premises of the zoo which houses around 40 pelicans and 20 ducks.

The National Zoological Park has been battling with a spate of animal deaths since earlier this year. Around 46 spotted deers were found dead at its premises in January.

(With PTI inputs)