(IN): Chicken and eggs yanked off zoo menu

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080205/jsp/guwahati/story_8862842.jsp

 

 

Chicken and eggs yanked off zoo menu

A STAFF REPORTER

 

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*Feb. 4:* Chicken and eggs are off the menu even for the inmates of the zoo

following the bird flu scare. This was decided at a meeting held yesterday

to discuss the steps to be taken in view of the avian influenza breaking out

in neighbouring West Bengal.

 

The divisional forest officer of the zoo, Narayan Mahanta, said only live

chicken would be fed to the animals. Eggs have been banned. He said for

animals, the chicken would first be checked and only then dressed. Until

now, the zoo used to procure dressed chicken. " If there is a report of bird

flu in the state, chicken will be totally banned, " he said. The animals

would be fed only beef or mutton instead of chicken.

 

While the sale of poultry products has taken a nosedive after the outbreak,

the price of fish has gone through the roof.

 

The zoo authorities conducted a training programme for officers and

zoo-keepers today. The animal keepers and veterinary assistants have been

advised to wear gloves and masks while attending to the animals.

 

Mahanta said no new avian species would be allowed into the zoo. The zoo

plays host to a number of rescued birds, which are sent here for treatment

and observation. The authorities have decided to send all such birds to the

wildlife range office at Geetanagar.

 

The zoo-keepers have been asked to report on any unnatural behaviour of the

birds housed in the zoo. Directions have been given to the officials to

adhere to the disinfectant schedule and hands should be thoroughly washed.

" Awareness is the most important tool to prevent such an outbreak. People

should know about the precautionary steps which are to be taken, " Mahanta

said.

 

The zoo has also decided to provide protective aprons to the animal keepers.

The measures would continue till the crisis is over.

 

Three officers from the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Khanapara,

attended the meeting and offered tips on the precautionary measures to be

adopted. The officers came out of the meeting satisfied that the zoo had

taken all precautionary measures.

 

Mahanta said the officials have been asked to strictly adhere to the

directives and no leniency would be tolerated. The zoo authorities have been

instructed to collaborate with the veterinary department in case they need

send any samples for verification.

 

 

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