Zoo authorities take precaution against Birdflu

Mysore, Feb 2 (UNI) The centuary old Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden here has taken several precautionary measures following the Birdflu scare which has hit Kolkata.

The Zoo known for housing a large collection of rare species of birds, has stopped procuring birds under the animal exchange programme for the time being as a second measure.

The sources at zoo told UNI that 'we had taken all necessary steps even before receiving a two page fax from the Central Zoo Authority bearing few instructions.

Feeding of chicken and eggs to the animals has also been stopped and the animal and bird cages were being sprayed with 'Kohorsalin', the only drug which was capable of preventing the virus. Each round of usage of the drug costs around Rs one lakh and used this for the second time.

The animal keepers have been provided with gloves, masks, caps and other necessary accessories to be worn while entering the animal enclosures, said assistant director of Zoo Dr Nanjappa.

As the avian influenza, the virus causing bird flu was spread mainly through migratory birds, the birds at Karanji lake also under the scanner. In the cause of bird deaths, the carcases are sent to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals at Hebbal in Bangalore. Similar measures have also been taken at the 'walk through aviary' at the Karnaji lake where birds are housed.

Even the visitors at entrance were asked to dip their legs into a mixture of chemical liquid kept for usage.

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