10 More Birds Die in Deer Park, Anti-Virus Operation Ordered

Delhi Animal Husbandry Minister Gopal Rai expressed concern over the rising fatalities among migratory birds.

A zoo staff member covers his face while spraying chemicals near a rosy pelican enclosure to prevent the bird flu at Delhi Zoo on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Ten more birds died on Sunday due to bird flu in the now shut Deer Park in Delhi, prompting Delhi Animal Husbandry Minister Gopal Rai to order an anti-virus drive.

After a visit to the park in Hauz Khas, Rai set up a 10-member team to spray anti-virus Mycrodacyn in the area. He ordered a sample of water from the sprawling park to be sent to the central lab in Bhopal.

The same lab had earlier confirmed that the virus strain found in the initial sample of birds was H5N8 avian influenza.

Rai expressed concern over the rising fatalities among migratory birds. Seventeen birds had died on Saturday in the park, which is home to a large number of deer. Six birds had died on Friday.

Also Read: Bird Flu Scare: After Delhi, Gwalior Zoo Closed as 15 Birds Die

To increase immunity among birds, they will be given multi-vitamins and pieces of garlic along with their food.

Gopal Rai, Delhi Animal Husbandry Minister

Rai called a meeting of coordination committee in the Delhi Secretariat on Monday to mull further action on the spread of H5N8 influenza virus.

The Delhi government on Thursday set up a 23-member committee to coordinate work among various departments and to probe the reasons behind the bird deaths.

Because of bird flu deaths, the Delhi Zoo has also been ordered shut until further notice.

Threat of Infection to Migratory Birds

Thousands of exotic migratory birds are set to fly in the capital and surrounding places grappling with avian influenza, sending alarm bells ringing among wildlife experts who warn that it would be difficult to curb the mess if the visitors contract the virus.

The National Zoological Park, which has been shut down temporarily over the death of 12 water birds due to H5 Avian Influenza, is bracing for the migratory season this winter, wherein thousands of exotic birds from different countries flock to the zoo for breeding.

Wildlife experts claimed that extra caution needed to be taken when exotic birds descend to the zoo amid a bird flu scare.

Exotic birds like dabchik, northen pintail, common teal, red lapwing, coot, shoveller duck come to the zoo for breeding.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI)