Written By: N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe | Published : August 30, 2025 7:00 PM IST
New Delhi Zoo Closed: Following the deaths of painted storks and black-necked ibises due to Bird Flu, the Delhi Zoo has been closed to visitors to take heightened bio-security measures. The confirmation of the closure came after Dr Sanjeet Kumar, Zoo Director, made a statement.
"Samples from two painted storks in the water bird aviary of the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, were sent for screening of avian influenza to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, on August 27. The result was reported positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus for both samples on the evening of August 28 by NIHSAD, Bhopal," Dr Kumar said.
According to officials, on Friday evening, two more painted storks died, and their samples were sent to NIHSAD. Earlier this week, two black necked ibis had also died. The statement also read, "Further, in the interest of public health, safety, and to strengthen bio-safety protocol, the zoo will be temporarily closed for visitors from August 30 till further orders."
To contain the outbreak of bird flu, the zoo will be under intensive surveillance for the next 21 days. As of now, strict biosecurity measures have been put in place among other animals, birds, and staff. The recent spread of bird flu marks the third recorded avian influenza outbreak at the Delhi Zoo, with previous incidents reported in 2016 and 2021.
"As soon as the disease is confirmed as H5 or H7 avian influenza, control actions to be initiated are the same as for domestic poultry," the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) guideline says. "However, wild, endangered, precious captive birds confirmed as non-infected may be exempted from culling. Visitor entry needs to be stopped forthwith."
It added, "Sampling has to be repeated every 15 days at least four times. If two consecutive samplings from the last positive result are found negative, then the opening of the zoo for the public may be considered by the competent authority."
The temporary closure was mainly done for the precaution of visitors, meanwhile protecting the strengthened bio-safety protocols.
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