Patna: The Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna has intensified precautionary measures following concerns over bird flu, placing the facility on high alert and strengthening disease-control protocols across enclosures. Zoo authorities said the aviary, which houses exotic bird species from multiple countries, is under continuous surveillance with caretakers deployed round the clock to monitor health and behavioural changes.
Zoo director Hemant Patil said visitor screening has been tightened, with mandatory disinfectant foot washes using potassium permanganate installed at entry gates to minimise the risk of infection entering the premises. The move forms part of broader biosecurity guidelines aimed at protecting vulnerable bird populations from avian influenza.
Officials added that daily sanitisation drives are being carried out throughout the zoo using veterinary-grade disinfectants, including Corsolin and Virkon. Range officer Arvind Verma said special arrangements have also been made to safely manage bird droppings and maintain enclosure hygiene, reducing potential transmission pathways for infectious diseases.
Separately, zoo authorities confirmed the recent transfer of two female lions from the Rajgir Zoo Safari, while a lioness named Parvati has been relocated in the opposite direction. Both newly arrived lions have been placed under a mandatory 30-day quarantine period. Wildlife experts noted that animal transfers can cause stress, making isolation and gradual acclimatisation to local climatic conditions essential before public display.
