Just a day earlier, the chances of the zoo opening this year seemed pretty high. As per the preventive guidelines, after a bird is found dead due to Avian Influenza or bird flu, the contaminated area or the epicenter can’t be reopened for the next 45 days.
The death of a Great white pelican, also known as the rosy pelican, at the National Zoological Park in Delhi on Friday raised fresh concerns about the spreading of bird flu in the facility. So much so that the zoo authorities have ruled out the possibility of the park opening this year.
Just a day earlier, the chances of the zoo opening this year seemed pretty high. As per the preventive guidelines, after a bird is found dead due to Avian Influenza or bird flu, the contaminated area or the epicenter can’t be reopened for the next 45 days. According to the Delhi government officials, the last bird death in the zoo was reported on October 31, giving hope to the authorities. Friday’s pelican death, however, quashed that hope.
“There has to be a 45-90 day caution period after the death of the last positive bird flu case before the zoo or any other public area can be reopened. With the latest case of bird death, it is highly unlikely that the zoo will be opened before December 31,” said a high ranking official in the Delhi government.
Since the outbreak of bird flu in the national capital first came to light on October 14, a total of 95 birds have died. Among other places, most cases of bird deaths were reported in Delhi zoo, Deer Park and Shakti Sthal.
The government officer further said that among all the bird deaths reported so far, only migratory birds have reported positive for H5N8, a viral subtype known to be harmless to humans. “As per the reports from the central lab in Bhopal, poultry and other birds of Indian origin have reported negative for the Avian Influenza virus,” added the officer.
Meanwhile, the shutting of the zoo has led to tremendous loss for the authorities. A zoo official said: “The daily footfall varied from 5,000-6,000 on week days and up to 18,000 on weekends and holidays. On an average, nearly Rs 1.5 lakh was collected as revenue on a daily basis.” He added that the zoo has already incurred a revenue loss of more than Rs 40 lakh, which will keep on rising till the facility reopens.
Some zoo officials, meanwhile, said that the absence of visitors has had a positive impact on the health of the animals. “The rest of the animals are enjoying the lack of human interaction. They seem to be calmer and relaxed,” said an official.
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 "Delhi Zoo")
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