Rs 30 million loss to Central Zoo due to bird flu

Kathmandu, July 20

The Central Zoo at Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, incurred a loss of Rs 30 million after it had to close for 27 days following the confirmation of bird flu at the country’s main zoo. After bird flu was detected in birds at the zoo, the National Trust for Nature Conservation had closed the facility to the public from June 19. Now that the infection is under control, the zoo has reopened from July 17.

The zoo’s information officer, Ganesh Koirala, said that regular cleaning, treatment of infected animals, and necessary precautions were taken after the infection was detected at the zoo. After that, a joint meeting of senior officials from the Department of Livestock Services and the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Central Animal Disease Research Laboratory decided to reopen the zoo.

According to him, on a regular day, about 1,700 to 1,800 visitors used to visit the zoo. On Saturdays, 5,000 to 7,000 people and on Sundays, 3,500 to 5,000 people used to spend time at the zoo. On the first day after reopening, on July 17, only 800 people visited the zoo. The zoo has been charging Rs 100 for children and senior citizens, Rs 150 for students, and Rs 250 for other visitors. Last fiscal year, the zoo earned about Rs 180 million. Even though the target was to collect Rs 210 million in the fiscal year 2082/83 from entry fees, the zoo administration has stated that the prolonged closure due to bird flu has made it more challenging to meet the goal.

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