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