GORAKHPUR/KANPUR, May 20 -- The area within 10-km radius of Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park in Gorakhpur, which has witnessed five bird flu-related deaths since March 30, has been placed under intensified surveillance even as Kanpur zoo sent 11 samples collected from mammals and birds to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal, said officials. The death of two crows on Saturday evening and Sunday morning heightened fears of a worsening avian influenza outbreak at the Gorakhpur zoo that remains closed for visitors until further notice. The Kanpur zoo, home to around 1,350 animals, will also remain closed for another week as a precautionary measure. Kanpur zoo director Shraddha Yadav said, "All samples collected have reached the Bhopal laboratory. The reports, along with those of water samples, are expected within 48-72 hours." Samples of 90 zoo employees have also been taken, the report of which will come in 48 hours. Meanwhile, the Central Zoo authority (CZA) team on Monday began investigation into bird deaths in Gorakhpur. "As many as 30 bird samples collected from outside the zoo premises on Monday will be sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for testing," Gorakhpur zoo director Vikas Yadav said. He said no bird deaths were reported on Monday and all animals were currently healthy. More samples will be collected from different areas, Yadav added, highlighting that migratory birds landing on enclosures could be potential carriers of the virus during the migration season. The panel held meetings with zoo staff and veterinarians, questioning them on various aspects, including a decline in appetite among deceased big cats, visible symptoms of illness, duration of illness, and treatments administered. Deputy director of Gorakhpur zoo, Dr Yogesh Pratap Singh, said crow carcasses found on Saturday evening and Sunday morning had been handed over to the CZA team for pathological examination to confirm the presence of avian influenza virus. "We have strengthened our biosecurity measures and intensified fogging and sanitation efforts to combat the potential spread of the virus," Singh added. The UP Pollution Control Board teams collected water and soil samples from inside the Kanpur Zoo. Tests of staff were prompted by the death of a lion and a peacock, as well as unusual behaviour seen in other animals. Many zoo employees had gathered in the hospital area after the arrival of the lion, which was a breach of the standard disease-prevention protocol. Forest officials said under the communicable disease protocol, only the treating veterinarian and the animal's keeper are allowed near any potentially infected animal. "This time, that protocol was ignored. Several zoo staff members approached 'Pataudi', the lion, shortly after his arrival," they said. The 16-year-old Asiatic lion 'Pataudi' had been brought from Gorakhpur zoo on May 11 and died four days later, on May 15 . So far, six inmates from the Gorakhpur and Kanpur zoos had apparently died due to avian influenza. This was the second avian influenza outbreak in Kanpur zoo in the last four years. The previous one occurred in 2021-22. Prior to that, in 2013-14, the zoo had reported cases of leptospirosis among its big cats. Despite past experiences, experts say zoo authorities failed to take sufficient preventive steps that could have reduced the risk. A veterinary expert noted that the medical team should have carefully examined Pataudi's medical records and observed his symptoms, even though there was no confirmation of infection at the time. Meanwhile, there was a glimmer of hope on Monday. 'Adya', a tigress that had been showing signs of illness and had reduced her food intake, ate her full meal. Another tigress, Pushpa, consumed half her portion. Naved Ikram, zoo's range officer, said the condition of both big cats appeared to be improving. No fresh animal/bird deaths were reported on Monday. Director Shraddha Yadav confirmed that the zoo will stay closed to visitors for at least one more week as a precaution....