Absence of crowd pullers affecting footfalls in Delhi Zoo

The National Zoological Park in Delhi has reopened following a bird flu scare but itr appears to be losing out on footfalls because of absence of major crowd pullers like giraffe, zebra, kangaroo, ostrich, King Cobra etc in the zoo.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 5 February 2017.

As visitors say - the snake house had hardly any snakes and the animals that are there looked "shabby and weak" like the crocodiles.
An official of the zoo has explained that all animal exchange programs have come to a halt after the bird flu scare. The zoo is currently under scrutiny and it will take some time to get back on track. The officials are confident that major species will be brought to the park soon. This zoo is one of the largest in the country and it came under a cloud last year after the death of 13 free ranging birds, including rosy pelicans, ducks and painted storks. They died due to H5N8 Avian influenza.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Bird flu in ducks - initially 800,000 birds to be culled in France

Outbreak of bird flu in France has forced the authorities to take a decision to cull 800,000 birds in the first instance. Accordingly, huundreds of thousands of ducks are to be culled in three areas of France. The drastic measure will cover all free range ducks, plus geese, in the Gers, Landes and Hautes-Pyrenees areas.
The exercise will continue for more than two weeks. The areas that have been identified as affected are in southwestern France, where most foie gras - made from duck and goose liver - is produced.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 4 January 2017.

All birds will not be culled - an exception has been made for farms which confine their birds and run a full production cycle - from ducklings to end products. The virus has spread quickly over the last month and, the agricultural ministry of France has indicated that the principle is to quickly kill the species most affected to date by the virus.
Initially, 800,000 birds would be killed in the next week and more could be added if the virus can not be brought under control. The H5N8 strain of the virus has been discovered in several other European countries, and in Israel, in the last two months. It kills poultry but, it has not been detected in humans.


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In Bhubaneswar, celebration of New Year's Eve would see abundance of fish fries rather than chicken fries because of bird-flu scare. Usually, chicken items remain most popular on the menu on the New Year's Eve parties but, the bird flu threat in Khurda district has resulted in a panic among the people. They want to be safe than sorry and, in spite of nosedive on the price of chicken in the wake of the bird flu has not been able to attract buyers.
This has come as a blessing for fish traders - the price of chicken has dropped by Rs 10 to Rs 30 a kilogram in the market and, the price of fish has risen up by approximately the same amount.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 31 December 2016.

Rohu fish was being sold for Rs 170 per kilogram and, it was around Rs 150 a kilogram a few days ago. The price of medium-size prawns has also shot from Rs 300 to Rs 320 a kilogram within a week.
While the state government has clarified that it is safe to consume chicken in spite of the flu threat, and a WHO guideline also indicates that chicken is safe to eat if cooked properly, the common man is not convinced. Health-conscious people have already planned their New Year party menu with mutton or fish dishes. City hotels that are planning New Year bashes with buffet dinner have also limited the use of chicken and some have struck chicken items off the menu.


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Delhi Zoo sees birth of more than 500 painted storks

Delhi zoo has seen birth of more than 500 local migratory 'painted stork' this breeding season. Normally, a batch of 800-1,000 painted storks arrive every year and it has counted counted more than 500 eggs this season and expect the figure to climb up in the next few days.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 20 November 2016.

Delhi Zoo had been struck by bird flu and lost 20 birds in the last few months - these include caged birds like munia, grey partridge and ringneck parrots died in the last few months. The death of 13 water birds, including painted storks, ducks and rosy pelicans have been confirmed as casualties of H5N8 avian influenza.
The zoo has been closed for more than a month now and is using the time to work out its Master Plan 2031.
The garden is being renovated and its winter plan for animals is also being implemented. Under this plan, heaters have been installed. Wooden platforms are being set up for carnivorous animals and paddy straws have been brought for chimpanzees and deer.
As per the winter dietary plans - all the animals are being given 50 grams of gooseberry (Amla) every day as a vitamin supplement. In addition, the meat intake has been increased to 1-2 kgs and animals like chimpanzees are given bread pieces dipped in honey to keep them warm. Seasonal fruits have also been included in their diet.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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