New Delhi, February 1
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) today alerted all zoos across the country to take preventive measures in the wake of bird flu outbreak in several parts of West Bengal.

“We are issuing guidelines to all major zoos across the country to ensure that the animals in the enclosures are safe from the avian flu,” B R Sharma, member secretary of CZA, which is the autonomous body under the environment ministry, said.

The zoo officials have been asked to provide disposal gloves, masks, caps and other accessories to animal keepers working at various enclosures particularly birds, Sharma said. The directions have been issued to over 60 major zoos across the country. The instructions also include separate handling and disposal of the fecal and other wastes from the bird enclosures and regular check on the movement of winged animals. Sharma said, as a preventive step, the Authority last year in October had organised training workshop for the veterinarians working in the zoos.

Meanwhile, during his video-conferences with the authorities of affected districts, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee directed them to ensure that all cullers were quarantined after operations and this had to be strictly adhered to. — PTI