Amid rising concerns over a possible bird flu outbreak, authorities in Uttar Pradesh have ordered the temporary closure of two major wildlife centres — Gorakhpur Zoo and Etawah Lion Safari — after confirmation that a tigress in Gorakhpur died due to the H5N1 virus, officials said on Tuesday.
In Gorakhpur, the Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoo has been shut for a week after viscera samples of tigress Shakti tested positive for bird flu. The confirmation came from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal. The closure, directed by Zoo Director Vikas Yadav under instructions from the Chief Conservator of Forests, will remain effective until May 21.
The zoo has reported four animal deaths so far: a tiger, a tigress, a leopard, and a female wolf. The latest was Mona, a female leopard brought from Kanpur, who died on Thursday. Prior to her, tigress Shakti died on May 7, followed by a female wolf named Bhairavi on Saturday. Earlier, a tiger named Kesari had died on March 30 under similar conditions.
A zoo official noted that both Shakti and Bhairavi exhibited symptoms such as reduced water intake followed by organ failure. Samples from the animals were sent to both the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, and NIHSAD, Bhopal. While Shakti’s infection was confirmed, Bhairavi’s test results are still awaited. Additionally, a sick tiger named Pataudi was recently shifted from Gorakhpur Zoo to Kanpur Zoo for treatment, raising further concerns about possible virus transmission.
As a precaution, the Etawah Lion Safari and the Asiatic Lion Breeding Centre have also been closed to visitors for a week, from May 14 to May 20. Officials said this step was taken in light of the confirmed case in Gorakhpur, even though no infection has yet been reported at the safari.
Etawah Safari Director Anil Kumar Patel stated that although no bird flu cases have been confirmed at the facility, the deteriorating health of Pataudi — a lion originally from Etawah Safari — has raised concern. As a result, strict biosecurity measures are being enforced.
Safari personnel have been told to promptly report any symptoms of illness in themselves or family members. Access to enclosures will be tightly controlled, and any unusual animal behaviour — such as lethargy, poor appetite, or abnormal discharge — must be immediately reported to veterinarians. Staff have also been directed to use PPE kits, face masks, gloves, and hand sanitiser at all times.
Dedicated teams have been assigned to monitor hygiene and animal health, with daily sanitisation underway. Any dead animals or birds discovered within the safari premises must be promptly reported to senior officials.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level meeting in Lucknow on Tuesday to assess the situation. He directed authorities to implement heightened vigilance across all zoos in the state.
According to an official statement, “He instructed officials to take all necessary preventive measures promptly and strictly in accordance with the guidelines issued by both the central and state governments to curb the possible spread of the infection.”
The statement further said, “As part of the preventive strategy, the CM ordered regular sanitisation of zoo premises and the use of blow torches where needed. He also emphasised mandatory health screenings for all wild animals and birds, along with strict inspection of their food to prevent any contamination.”
The chief minister stressed that staff be fully educated about bird flu protocols and properly equipped with PPE kits and safety gear. He also said duties inside animal enclosures should be assigned based on the level of risk involved.
Additionally, Adityanath directed authorities to strictly monitor poultry farms and control the movement of poultry products, while the Health Department has been asked to evaluate potential human health risks from H5N1.
“He mentioned that authorities should stay in regular contact with institutions like the Central Zoo Authority (New Delhi), National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Department of Fisheries and Dairy, and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (Bareilly) to seek advice and implement necessary actions accordingly,” the statement added.
The chief minister also instructed the strengthening of coordination between the District Administration, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Veterinary Officer to ensure full compliance with all guidelines.
