Mysuru Zoo could reopen on Feb 1

Mysuru: After dealing with the death of a few migratory birds and the scare of avian flu, the

Mysuru Zoo

could be thrown open to the public from February 1.

The facility was closed following the death of migratory and free-ranging birds on January 4 for a month.

Zoo

executive director K Kamala confirmed that the second sample results tested negative. The results were announced by the National Institute of High Security and Animal Diseases, Bhopal late on Monday. The facility may be opened in a day or two, she said.

The Central Zoo Authority had directed the zoo to follow the recommendation of the department of animal husbandry following the bird deaths.

She added, “An emergency meeting of officials of the animal husbandry department, veterinary colleges, district health authorities and the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Bengaluru, will be convened and a decision to reopen the facility will be taken. After the animal husbandry department declares the zoo free of avian influenza based on the Bhopal institute results, we’ll write to the secretary of the forest department seeking permission to reopen the facility.”

As per national guidelines for avian influenza, two consecutive samples have to test negative. Two samples test sent by the Mysuru zoo tested negative unlike the Delhi zoo which was opened after a three-month closure while Gwalior and Rourkela zoos are still shut. Mysuru zoo was the fourth zoo in India to be closed in early January.

Bhopal institute is an authority on avian influenza

Zoo must build confidence among tourists

Well-known hotelier and Siddartha Group proprietor P V Giri on Monday said the zoo’s biggest responsibility now is to build confidence among tourists.

“The first thing they should do is to make an announcement that the zoo is free of avian influenza as per the results of the competent authority and they should educate the public and visitors that the virus does not spread to humans and all precautions have been taken up to prevent the spread of bird flu,” he said.

The zoo gets 3 million visitors every year. Zoo authorities and tourism officials should immediately make an announcement so that tourists can plan their visit to Mysuru, he said.