Delhi Zoo declared bird flu-free, reopening likely after October 30

National Zoological Park in Delhi was shut down on August 30 following the deaths of several birds — including painted storks and black-headed ibises — due to an outbreak of avian influenza.

The National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi, which closed on August 30 due to a bird flu outbreak, may reopen in early November. The decision will be made after October 30, following two more rounds of avian influenza testing.

Delhi zoo director Dr Sanjeet Kumar was quoted by The Indian Express as saying that while no active presence of the virus has been detected, the management will conduct two additional rounds of sampling at an interval of 15 days before taking a final call on reopening.

“As part of ongoing surveillance, two additional rounds of sampling will be conducted at an interval of 15 days to ensure continued safety and disease-free status. Based on the results of these surveillance samples for Avian Influenza (H5N8), a decision will be taken to reopen the Zoo for visitors after October 30,” a statement by the National Zoological Park was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

“However, as a precautionary measure, the zoo management continues to strictly adhere to all prescribed biosecurity and surveillance guidelines issued by the competent authorities,” the statement reads.

The zoo was shut down following the deaths of several birds — including painted storks and black-headed ibises — due to an outbreak of avian influenza. According to the report, four samples tested positive for the H5N1 strain, with the last confirmed case reported on September 1. Since then, multiple rounds of random testing across aviaries and enclosures have revealed no new infections.

Officials were quoted as saying that the latest sample, collected to check avian influenza on October 1, and reported on October 7, also tested negative. Following two consecutive negative results since the last positive case, the zoo had earlier moved a formal proposal to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking approval to resume operations.

This marks the third time the zoo has been forced to suspend operations because of avian influenza, following earlier closures in 2016 and 2021.