No new bird deaths due to avian influenza at Delhi zoo

The Delhi zoo on Friday said no new cases of mortality due to avian influenza have been reported among the water birds in its aviary or migratory birds around the ponds.

Strict sanitation and biosecurity measures are being enforced to prevent the spread of the disease, zoo officials said.

National Zoological Park (NZP) Director Sanjeet Kumar said follow-up sessions on personal hygiene and preventive practices have been conducted for beat in-charges and section supervisors to reduce the risk of transmission.

“We are maintaining rigorous sanitation across the premises and ensuring that all staff are trained on preventive measures,” Kumar said in a statement.

The zoo management is also regularly consulting experts from its Health Advisory Committee through virtual meetings to determine the necessary steps to safeguard the animals and birds.

“The National Zoological Park remains fully vigilant and is undertaking all necessary actions in line with standard protocols and guidelines to contain the disease at the earliest,” the statement added.

Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Central Zoo Authority (CZA), along with officials from the Delhi government’s animal husbandry department, visited the zoo on Thursday to review the measures in place.

Last Friday, it was first reported that painted storks and ibises had died, prompting the zoo authorities to close the premises to visitors from Saturday as a precautionary measure.

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Delhi Police arrests two for aiding Rs 6.4 crore stock market fraud

Two men were arrested for allegedly facilitating a multi-crore stock market scam by providing their bank accounts to interstate cyber criminals, an official said on Friday.

The accused, Mohammad Asim Ali Khan from Uttarakhand and Rushikesh Jaywant Kamble from Maharashtra, acted as “professional account providers” for organised cybercrime networks that duped investors with fake IPO funding and high-return stock market investment schemes, he said.

According to the police, victims were lured through social media groups into downloading fake trading applications and then convinced to transfer large sums of money.