LUCKNOW/GORAKHPUR, May 14 -- All three zoological parks and a lion safari in Uttar Pradesh have been shut down for a week following confirmation that a tigress at the Gorakhpur Zoo, which died on May 7, was suffering from bird flu.

"The highest protocol is in place. The zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur and Gorakhpur districts and the lion safari in Etawah shall remain closed for a week," said Anuradha Vemuri, the principal chief conservator of forest-Wildlife (PCCF-Wildlife), on Tuesday.

Tiger reserves in the state have also been directed to remain alert. In a late evening message to the staff of tiger reserves, senior forest officials asked them to keep a watch on the behaviour of animals on their premises and report if any of them fell sick or...