LUCKNOW/GORAKHPUR, May 21 -- All zoos in Uttar Pradesh, along with the Etawah Lion Safari, will remain closed for visitors till May 27 as a precautionary measure to ensure that all protocols for H5 avian influenza are followed for the safety of birds and animals, said forest minister Arun K Saxena on Tuesday. Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Kanpur zoos were already shut till May 20 in wake of bird flu deaths but the closure has now been extended. "The closure of zoos is precautionary, and to ensure all protocols for H5 avian influenza are followed for safety of birds and animals," said Saxena. The closure of the Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park in Gorakhpur may be extended further said officials. A public notice regarding the indefinite closure has been posted at the zoo entrance. So far, deaths of Tiger 'Keshri', aged over seven years, on March 30, followed by that of a leopard on April 7, Tigress 'Shakti' on May 8, Lion 'Pataudi' on May 15, and a peacock have been confirmed due to bird flu in Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos. A team formed by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is on an inspection at Gorakhpur zoo, where the first death was reported. The team includes officials from the animal husbandry department, Bhopal-based National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) and officials from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. On the second day of their investigation, the panel collected random samples from key animals, including a Barbary Lion and two other big cats. Besides, more than 50 environmental samples were collected, including bird droppings, surface swabs, and drinking water sources. Gorakhpur zoo director Vikas Yadav stated that the extended closure is a precautionary measure to prevent any potential outbreak. Meanwhile concerns rose following the discovery of dead crows within the zoo premises. As of Monday evening, the total number of crow deaths on-site rose to nine. Veterinary staff sent the latest samples to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, for analysis....