The zoo was closed since October 19, following cases of avian influenza resulting to death of several Rosy Pelicans and Painted Stork.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has sought reply from Delhi Zoo for circulating information in media regarding census of 500 eggs hatched by the Painted Stork after the spread of bird flu.

The move by CZA comes after receiving a complaint from Bhopal based activist Ajay Dubey, who claimed that a zoo official tried to do an 'image makeover' after being criticised for series of deaths of animals and birds in the zoo but terrible failed to get their facts right.

ZOO AUTHORITY STOPS ARRANGING FOOD

"I read it through the newspaper that Delhi zoo was closed due to spread of bird flu. A few days later, I read another article where zoo officials were quoted saying that they have counted 500 eggs hatched by the migratory birds. Both the information were contradictory as the zoo management risking the life of their staff by conducting a census at such a sensitive time," Ajay Dubey told Mail Today. Zoo curator Riyaz Khan, was earlier quoted, "We generally receive a batch of 800-1,000 painted storks every year. The zoo has always recorded impressive painted stork births. We have counted more than 500 eggs this season and the figure will climb up in the next few days."

Khan further explains that the zoo authority has stopped arranging food for the migratory birds that flock from abroad for the fear of infection spread.

"Yes, we have not arranged food for the exotic birds this time, as we do not want them to descend here and mingle with the local migratory birds," Khan had said adding that the local birds feed on fish whereas those from abroad eat insects.

CZA REFUTES CLAIMS

But, the zoo authorities in a reply to CZA denied giving any such statement and called the earlier media reports false.

"Curator informed that the zoo never conducted census of painted stork eggs and hence, the news was false and not based on facts," Ajit Kumar Bhowmik, Joint Director, National Zoological Park wrote in his reply. He added that the curator also informed that no such information was released by him.

But, Bhowmik confirmed that zoo has stopped feeding the wild/migratory birds from October 23 as recommended by the Joint Commissioner, department of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.

However, activist Dubey feels that it was a 'PR exercise' conducted by the zoo officials that went wrong. He also wrote a complaint and apprised the ministry.

"Spread of Avian flu is a highly sensitive issue and it could affect people working at Delhi zoo including those in horticulture and construction work here. It cannot be denied that zoo officials tried to do image makeover by informing about the birth of 500 migratory birds at a time when they are witnessing spate of deaths," Dubey said.