No bird flu at Ragunan, Taman Mini

No bird flu at Ragunan, Taman Mini

JAKARTA: None of the 2,003 birds, which are classified into
131 bird families, at Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta has been
infected by bird flu, Titisari, a zoo official said on Monday.

"We vaccinated all the birds a couple weeks ago and none of
them was found ill or infected by the bird flu," Titisari said as
quoted by the Antara news agency.

The government has ordered the immediate killing of all
chickens known to be infected with bird flu in response to
pressure from the World Health Organization.

Indonesia's initial refusal to carry out as mass cull was
criticized by international agencies and regional neighbors. A
mass cull is the only known method of ensuring the disease does
not spread.

Titisari said that Ragunan Zoo's operators had given food
supplements to all the birds and chickens at the zoo to bolster
their immune systems.

Similar measures have been taken for all birds at the Bird
Center in Taman Mini located in East Jakarta.

An unidentified spokesman of the park said that all the birds
and chickens raised at the park were vaccinated on Monday. They
were also given food supplements, he added. -- JP