The Patna zoo officials have shut the zoo until next orders from the concerned authorities, after strains of avian influenza virus was found in six dead peacocks.
The zoo is also known as Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan and the 'shut notices' have been affixed on the walls. D K Shukla, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Bihar told the agency that the samples of the dead peacocks were sent to Kolkata and Bhopal for tests which confirmed the presence of H5N1 virus.
Shukla further added that they are not sure how the peacocks contracted the virus. Birds from outside tend to fly inside the sprawling campus. That could be a possible reason but that is a matter of investigation.
However, he further added that the virus is not fatal and it spreads rapidly and the decision to temporarily shut down the zoo was taken to minimize the possibility of catching the infection.
Meanwhile, the zoo was being thoroughly sanitized and experts would examine the campus after five days. Only after it is certified that it was safe for people, would the zoo be again thrown open for the visitors.
