The National Zoological Park, which was shut for the last 85 days due to the bird flu scare, witnessed a huge footfall after being reopened for the public on Wednesday. The Pelican Pond where the bird deaths took place, however, remained shut. Authorities also said that precautionary measures will continue to be taken for the next 2-3 months.
The National Zoological Park, which was shut for the last 85 days due to the bird flu scare, witnessed a huge footfall after being reopened for the public on Wednesday. The Pelican Pond where the bird deaths took place, however, remained shut. Authorities also said that precautionary measures will continue to be taken for the next 2-3 months.
Besides, the Shakti Sthal near Rajghat, Hauz Khas Deer Park, District Park in Paschim Vihar, and a water body in Madipur, which had also been shut for the same reason, were also thrown open on Wednesday.
The zoo was shut on October 18, 2016, after many free ranging birds, including painted storks, ducks, and rosy pelican, tested positive for H5N8 Avian Influenza virus. Since the outbreak, as many as 125 birds were found dead at the zoo. Not all of them, however, tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, visitors thronged the zoo with many coming from as far-off as Kashmir. "I have come with my friends to visit Delhi from Srinagar. I was elated to know that the zoo has been reopened. So, here I am," Mudassir said. "I did not know even know that the zoo had been shut. I decided to come today with my friends and found the place open," said Bhogal resident Puja.
Zoo Curator Riaz Khan said: "We have opened the zoo for visitors, but some precautionary measures are being taken. Sprinkling of slaked lime is being done and the employees have been instructed to use gloves and masks. They have also been told to change their clothes and footwear in the zoo premises."
The zoo had been sending samples of dead birds to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal every seven days after they tested positive for the virus, prompting the Delhi government to issue a health advisory.
"For the last one-and-a-half months, all reports have been negative. Still, precautionary measures will be taken for the next 90 days. Also, samples of dead birds will be sent to Bhopal every 15 days," said an Animal Husbandry Department official.
The shutdown had affected not only the revenue generation of the zoo but had also hit the business of vendors operating nearby. "The last two months were difficult for me. I had to borrow money from people to run my household as the business was hit," said Ahmed Jaan, who sells masks and popcorn outside the zoo.
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