MYSURU:
January 20, 2017 00:00 IST
Updated:
January 20, 2017 04:25 IST
The Mysuru zoo management has put off animal exchanges for which it
had got necessary clearance from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), until
the zoo — which has been closed since January 4 following an outbreak of
avian influenza (H5N8) — is reopened for tourists.
Two samples of
bird droppings have to test negative for H5N8 to ensure the reopening
of the zoo, which will be closed as a precautionary measure until
February 4. The first set of samples was sent to the National Institute
of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, on January 13 and the second
set will be sent on or before January 25. The results of the samples
were yet to reach here though the zoo was told that the samples had been
tested, said zoo officials. “Perhaps, the Bhopal lab had samples from
other regions too. There is also an outbreak in Daman district (in the
Union Territory of Daman and Diu). An entire village in the district has
been notified as an infected area and the entire district is under
surveillance for 30 days till February 7,” according to sources at the
zoo here.
The Hindu
has learnt that the lab results were expected any time which will eventually clear the air on the bird deaths.
No
further incidents of bird deaths have been reported, sources said. All
animals and birds in the zoo stock are in good health, the sources
added.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Shaurya, a male Asiatic lion,
which is being exchanged with the zoo here by a Gujarat zoo for other
animals, will be delayed since the Mysuru zoo has reportedly put off its
animal exchange programmes until the samples test negative and
consequently the zoo reopens. The zoo is planning to step up its captive
breeding of Asiatic lions with the addition of a new young male.
Vandalur
zoo in Chennai has agreed to give a male and a female Lion Tailed
Macaque, a highly endangered species, in exchange for other animals. The
arrival of Lion Tailed Macaques will also be delayed, sources said.
Similarly, a Sri Lankan zoo has offered to share three green anacondas.
“Even this exchange has been kept on hold,” sources added.
The
putting off of animal exchanges has been taken following suggestions
from the competent authorities, including CZA, the sources said.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Bird-flu-scare-delays-arrival-of-anacondas-Asiatic-lion-to-Mysuru-zoo/article17064874.ece
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