Safari park ruled free of bird flu

BOGOR, West Java: Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono declared on Saturday the Indonesian Safari Park here free from bird flu virus.

The minister made the announcement following a three-hour inspection of the park.

"I have seen firsthand the condition of the park and checked birds and fowls here. Previously we conducted tests on 50 blood samples of fowls, which were proven negative," Anton said.

Despite the clearance, Anton asked the park management to breed chickens to enable it to quickly notice signs of a bird flu outbreak.

The park's director Frans Manansang said the plan was on the management's agenda, and would be realized soon.

To prevent the virus from spreading, the park management has provided special footwear and required visitors to wash their hands with disinfected water prior to entering and leaving the park. -- JP