Nagpur, 07 Jan (HS): The Maharashtra government has issued a red alert to zoo management across the state, following the deaths of three tigers and one leopard due to bird flu at the Gorewada Rescue Centre here.
The Gorewada management promptly sanitized the rescue centre and temporarily closed its operations. On Sunday, veterinarians conducted thorough examinations of 26 leopards and 12 tigers housed at the facility. Tests revealed no symptoms of bird flu in the animals, and they were released into the adjoining jungle on
Monday. “There is a clear separation between the Gorewada Rescue Centre and the jungle safari route,” said S S Bhagwat, Divisional Manager of the Gorewada Zoo Project. He assured that while the jungle safari remains operational, public access to the rescue centre is strictly prohibited. Dr. Sunil Bawaskar, in charge of Maharajbagh Zoo, confirmed that zoo staff are intensively sanitizing animal enclosures as a preventive measure.
Similar protocols have been advised for all zoos in the state to prevent the spread of bird flu among wildlife.
Hindusthan Samachar
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