Subhechcha Ganguly 
Tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries across Uttar Pradesh have been put on high alert following confirmed cases of bird flu in two big cats — a tigress and a lion — at Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos, respectively. While the reserves remain open to visitors, staff have been instructed to closely monitor wild animals for any unusual behaviour and to report any bird deaths within their premises.
The deceased animals — tigress Shakti, who died on May 7 in Gorakhpur, and lion Pataudi, who passed away on May 15 in Kanpur — tested positive for the avian influenza virus, triggering concern among forest and animal health authorities.
“All staff have been directed to remain vigilant, even though tiger reserves typically see limited impact from bird flu due to minimal human or domestic animal interaction,” said H. Rajamohan, Director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. “The concern mainly revolves around local migratory birds such as storks, which move between forest areas and may come into contact with infected environments near human habitation.”
To manage the situation, forest authorities have divided reserve areas into three zones — core, buffer, and outer — with designated teams and veterinarians monitoring each zone for signs of illness among birds or wild animals. Special attention is being paid to avian mortality, which could signal the spread of infection.
Although bird flu has only been confirmed in two animal samples so far, precautionary measures have been intensified. All zoos in Uttar Pradesh, along with the Etawah Lion Safari, have been temporarily closed to visitors until May 20 as a safety measure. Additionally, samples from other animals and forest staff have been sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal for testing.
Authorities continue to stress that early detection and vigilance are key to preventing any potential outbreak within the state’s protected wildlife areas.
