Patna Zoo Reopens Gates After 10-Day Bird Flu Precautionary Closure
The Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, widely recognized as Patna Zoo, welcomed visitors back on Sunday following a 10-day shutdown prompted by avian influenza concerns. The zoo had been closed since February 27 as a preventive measure after bird flu was detected at a nearby poultry research center. Authorities greenlit the reopening after a week of intensive surveillance and testing confirmed no new cases of the virus in the vicinity.
High Visitor Footfall on Reopening Day Coincides with International Women's Day
Zoo director Hemant Patil announced that the gates opened at 6 am on Sunday, with operating hours extending until 5 pm. He emphasized that while the zoo is operational, vigilance remains stringent. Visitors are required to maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from animal and bird enclosures to ensure safety.
According to zoo administration reports, footfall was exceptionally high on the reopening day, which serendipitously aligned with both a Sunday and International Women's Day. Range officer Arvind Verma disclosed that more than 10,000 people visited the zoo on Sunday. "In honor of International Women's Day, entry was complimentary for women visitors. Typically, we see around 5,000 to 6,000 visitors on regular days, with numbers surging to 8,000-10,000 over weekends," Verma explained.
Enhanced Safety Protocols and Continued Monitoring in Place
Special measures have been implemented to safeguard both animals and visitors. These include maintaining safe distances from enclosures, installing green nets in front of cages, and regularly spraying disinfectants at entry gates during morning and evening hours. The district animal husbandry office confirmed that no fresh bird flu cases were detected within a 1-kilometer radius of the zoo over the past week, which formed the basis for the reopening decision.
Officials noted that although the immediate threat has diminished, strict sanitation and monitoring protocols will persist as a precautionary step. The zoo's management remains committed to ensuring a secure environment while allowing the public to enjoy the park's offerings.
