Nagpur’s Maharajbagh Zoo has temporarily stopped feeding chicken to wild animals at the facility after three tigers and a leopard died at a wildlife rescue centre in the city, an official has said.
Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik said on Thursday that the big cats died of avian influenza, possibly contracted after consuming chicken. However, the exact cause of death will be known only after the lab test report is received, said the minister.
The authorities at the Nagpur zoos have been directed to inspect the food before feeding the animals, the official said, adding that the wildlife rescue centre that lost three tigers and a leopard has been asked to temporarily remain shut.