The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo authority has decided to discontinue chicken as a meal for its animals. From now on, carnivorous animals will only be provided buffalo meat. Additionally, animal keepers have been instructed to wear masks and gloves while handling animals.

This decision follows the deaths of three tigers and one leopard due to Avian Influenza at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada Zoo in Nagpur. In response, the Central Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying issued directives for zoos to follow an action plan for prevention, control, and containment. After receiving this advisory, the zoo stopped including chicken in the animals’ diet.