In a preventive step following the death of three tigers and a leopard at the Gorewada Wildlife Rescue Centre, Nagpur's Maharajbagh Zoo has suspended chicken meals for its wild animals.
Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik revealed on Thursday that the deceased big cats had tested positive for the H5N1 virus, commonly known as avian influenza.
However, he stressed that the precise cause of death would be confirmed upon receiving laboratory reports.
Zoo authorities across Nagpur have been instructed to implement strict food inspection protocols. The Gorewada centre, where the fatalities occurred, has been temporarily shut, and stringent sanitisation measures are being enforced.
“Chicken is not fed to tigers in the Nagpur zoo. But leopards and other animals, which sometimes eat birds naturally, are given poultry meals,” said Maharajbagh Zoo Chief Health Officer Sunil Baviskar.
He assured that no animals at Maharajbagh Zoo were displaying symptoms of avian influenza.
“As a precautionary measure, the supply of chicken for animals has been stopped in the zoo,” Baviskar added. He also noted that disinfection routines have been intensified, with sanitisation conducted every two days.
The deceased tigers and leopard were relocated from Chandrapur to the Gorewada Rescue Centre following incidents of man-animal conflict.
Their samples, sent to Bhopal for testing, confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus on 2 January, according to Gorewada project divisional manager Shatanik Bhagwat.
To curb the outbreak risk, the Union government has issued an advisory, urging zoos nationwide to adopt precautionary measures.
Bhagwat confirmed that the disinfection process at the Gorewada facility was ongoing in line with official guidelines.
Meanwhile, Siddharth Zoo in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has adopted new protocols to safeguard its 12 tigers and one leopard. “We are treating their food with boiled water and using a cold chain mechanism to ensure safety,” said veterinarian Dr D. Neeti Singh.
Follow us
