Six peacocks died at the Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan in Patna earlier this week (File Photo) | Photo Credit: BCCL

Patna: An investigation into the deaths of six peacocks at the 'Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan' in Bihar's capital city has led officials to the conclusion that the deceased birds contracted H5N1 virus, more commonly known as bird flu. Management on Tuesday declared that the zoo will be closed "until further notice" in light of strains of avian influenza virus being detected in the systems of the dead peacocks.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, DK Shukla told news agency PTI that samples of the deceased birds were sent to medical experts in Bhopal and Kolkata who confirmed the presence of H5N1 virus in the birds. He went further to say that the source of the virus is yet to be identified, adding that the peacocks may have contracted the virus from birds who fly inside the zoo premises from outside.

Shukla also told media personnel that while the virus is not fatal, it is highly contagious and the best way forward is to shut down the zoo thereby ensuring that the virus does not spread. A team of experts will examine the zoo after five days once it is thoroughly sanitised, he said adding that doors of the 55-year-old zoo will be opened only after the experts deem it safe for the general public.

Patna #Zoo closed for an indefinite period following the confirmation of H5NI virus killing 6 peacocks in the zoo. pic.twitter.com/dDq1nkBeY3 — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 25, 2018

A similar situation was reported from Karnataka earlier this year where the dietary preferences of animals at Bengaluru's Nehru Zoological Park was changed following an H5N1 outbreak in the state. Measures taken by zoo authorities such as keeping chicken and eggs out of the animals' diets were taken.

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