Bird flu threat in Mumbai: Byculla zoo on high alert for its 200-plus aquatic, exotic birds

Following confirmed reports of bird flu infections in the city and state, authorities at Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan And Zoo (Byculla zoo) have been put on high alert to ensure none of the birds inside the premises get infected

Following confirmed reports of bird flu infections in the city and state, authorities at Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan And Zoo (Byculla zoo) have been put on high alert to ensure none of the birds inside the premises get infected.

According to zoo authorities, there are over 200 aquatic and exotic birds at Byculla zoo. (HT Photo)

According to zoo authorities, there are over 200 aquatic and exotic birds inside the zoo, and amid the outbreak of bird flu, authorities have started ensuring increased hygiene monitoring while serving food and the general atmosphere in which the birds are kept.

“In the case of Byculla zoo, we do not have a scenario where there is mixing or mingling of exotic and aquatic birds with migratory birds, and hence, the chances of infection are less. However, we have to be on alert due to which we have increased our surveillance,” said Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director of Byculla zoo.

“We would have had to worry of infection spreading if say we had ponds at which the zoo birds and migratory birds drank water. However, at Byculla zoo, our over 200 birds are caged,” he added.

Before this, 13 birds were reported dead in Thane.

On Monday, the district authorities in Parbhani had also confirmed that 800 chickens in a village died due to bird flu.

According to BMC officials, the state government is expected to issue directives in the form of measures to be taken in Mumbai when it comes to poultry retailers and shops in the city.

Ajit Narawade, assistant municipal commissioner of M-East ward that covers Chembur, said, “We have not got any directions in regards to poultry retailers and shops in the city, but at the ward level we will carry out inspections after receiving instructions from the commissioner and state government.”