“We have been taking strict measures to prevent any kind of harm to the birds here. However, the birds, basically pigeons and crows that come from outside, are a big threat,” said Sarita Giri, program manager at the zoo. “Similarly, we receive around 3000 to 4000 visitors every day. Sometimes they throw grains inside the bird´s enclosure despite all the warnings. For them, it is fun, but this increases the risk of bird flu infection for the birds here,” she added.[break]
Highly alert of the disease outbreak, the zoo authority has already warned the visitors not to engage in any sort of activity that might harm the birds and other animals. Since one and half months, the visitors are strictly checked right at the entrance and warned not to go against the rule. Similarly, antiseptic liquid and powders, which otherwise would be sprinkled only at the birds´ enclosure, are being spread right from the entrance gate throughout the route to animal section.
“The birds are being fed necessary medicines and their section being cleaned more frequently. However, threat still looms as the virus is spreading so rapidly,” Giri said.
According to a zoo staff Radhakrishna Gharti, every time when there is spread of bird flu in the capital, there is much work pressure in the zoo in order to minimize the risk to the birds. “Taking care of the animals is no less serious job than taking care of our babies. When such diseases spread, it is naturally more taxing,” he said. “The birds are usually in enclosure, but these days, even those birds we used to set free once or twice a day have not been left out.”
Amid the threat of bird flu, the only three birds which never would otherwise be confined or enclosed are going to live the rude fate soon. Giri reported that the three white pelicans, which always enjoyed absolute freedom at the huge pond in the zoo, are set to be confined to smaller zone in a day or two. “The pelicans are the only birds we have not bothered to shift anywhere even amid the increasing threat. However, in a day or two, we are going to confine them to a particular area. They will not be moving around so freely in the pond as long as the threat persists,” she said.
Black Kite, Cockatiel, Common Crane, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Crimson-Horned Pheasant and Budgerigar are some of the exiting bird species in the zoo. Though bird flu was detected among poultry products since a few months in the valley, the government´s failure to take necessary measures against the problem let the disease spread rapidly in the later days. Though the government recently lifted ban on selling of the poultry products, reports claim that the threat of bird flu is not over yet.
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