Closed for about three months due to a bird flu intimidation, Goa’s only zoological park was opened for visitors on Wednesday.
The zoo inside the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary was closed on 1 April, when three civates and two forest cats died after a viral outbreak in the second week of March.
Subsequently, the authorities implemented precautionary measures, including separating the affected enclosures, and restricting public access. The Forest Department sent samples to the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) for testing. Forest department officials said the lab reports confirmed that two jungle cats died due to avian influenza, while the cause of death for Civates was unknown.
On Wednesday, an order issued by Wildlife, Wildlife and Deputy Collector of Eco-Turism North Division, JISS K Varkey said, “As a result of obtaining two consecutive negative test results for Avian Influenza from ICAR-NIHSAD Bhopal, as a result of obtaining two negative test results and according to the directions of the Middle Zoo Authority, it was ordered to be ordered for the Bondonal Zoo Authority. Visitors will open. “
In a post on X, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that the zoo has been reopened. “After a brief closure as a precautionary measure, the Bondla Zoo has now re -opened the visitors starting on Wednesday, after confirmation that the specimens conducted a negative test for the avian influenza by Nihsad, Bhopal. The forest department of Goa immediately worked and responsible to ensure the health and safety of both animals and visitors.”
Rain said that all the necessary bio -safety protocols were followed during this period. Officials said that according to the protocol of the Central Zoo Authority, the zoo could only reopen after two consecutive negative testing reports for the avian influenza.
Kamal Dutta, the chief chief chief patron of the forests, said, “As soon as the virus was informed, the forest department immediately closed the zoo and closed the affected enclosures and took active action and took other precautionary measures. Due to this, the spread of the virus was stopped in the areas outside the zoo.”
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