Ragunan officially reopens

Tantri Yuliandini and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriantono together with Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso reopened Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta on Tuesday, declaring the 140-hectare compound free of bird flu.

"People need no longer be afraid of visiting Ragunan as of this Oct. 11 it is free of bird flu and open to the public," Sutiyoso said during the reopening ceremony.

The zoo was closed last month after it was found that 19 of its captive birds had avian influenza. The closure reportedly caused the zoo Rp 700 million (about US$70,000) in losses.

Birds from endangered species at risk from bird flu have been treated while those not on the endangered list were culled earlier.

On Friday, the veterinary division of the Ministry of Agriculture declared that all of the zoo's birds had tested negative for bird flu, as had the zoo's 250 employees.

Ragunan Zoo has taken measures to prevent the bird flu virus from reemerging at the zoo, including spraying enclosures with disinfectant twice daily, and providing the animals with antiviral drugs, vitamins and minerals.

Anton said that to avoid fresh infections, Ragunan would also restrict the adding of new animals to its collection, adding that the zoo would keep bantam chickens to provide early warning of new infections. These chickens would have blood tests every two weeks, he said.

He also said that while still people should still exercise care about the virus, they should not be overly concerned or panic as bird flu was a mild virus easily killed by heat, sunlight, and disinfectants such as detergent.

Anton advised people to ensure the cleanliness of bird cages by regularly spraying with disinfectant, to wash the hands with soap after contact with birds or bird products, and to keep sickly birds away from children and the elderly.

"Bird meat and eggs should be well-cooked before eating and sick birds should be immediately reported to the authorities," he explained.