'Bird deaths? Inform nearest vets'

At Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in the city, popular as Mysore Zoo having birds in huge numbers, the authorities are leaving no stone unturned to tackle bird flu.

Executive director of Zoo, B P Ravi told Deccan Herald, there is nothing to fear at the menagerie. However, the chances of bird flu that has broken out in the Central Poultry Breeding Farm, Hesaraghatta in Bangalore, spreading to other places cannot be ruled out. 

With Bangalore being close to Mysore, albeit 130 km far, we can’t remain nonchalant. It’s air borne and water borne disease carried by birds and the city having water bodies in huge numbers, attracting winged visitors throughout the year, the locals and authorities should be aware of bird deaths if any in the nearby regions.

Karanji Lake Nature Park, managed by Zoo also has a turkey bird (it’s among that particular breed in Hesaraghatta, the bird flue came to the fore) in its avian enclosure, but there is nothing to worry, asserted Ravi. Though no medicine has been invented to tackle the flu to the core, remedial measures could be taken in the event of an outbreak, the officer added.

It’s definitely a matter of concern as Kukkarahalli Lake is situated in the heart of the city, besides Lingambudhi near Vivekananda Nagar, Dalwoy and Shetty lakes on the outskirts, and Varuna on T Narsipura road.

Ravi appealed to the people residing nearby lakes to inform the nearest veterinary hospitals if they come across any bird deaths.