Mysuru: Tourism stakeholders were relieved and tourists planning to visit Mysuru city were happy on Friday after Mysuru Zoo which was closed for the past one month for the first time in its history, re-opened. Zoo executive director Ms K Kamala offered sweets to visitors and welcomed them on Friday.
"The crowd was normal. There were 4922 tourists and the Zoo earned revenue of Rs 2,72,280 on Friday. Last year on the same day they had 5059 tourists," Zoo Executive Director Ms Kamala said.
When asked if they had estimated the loss of revenue due to closure of Zoo for over a month, Ms Kamala said, "Our animals are our true wealth. The zoo is seen more as a conservation centre, rather than a business. We have taken enough precautionary measures. All our animals and staff are doing well," she added.
The Zoo was closed from 4th January as per Central Zoo authority directions, after reports from National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) at Bhopal confirmed Avian Influenza among six migratory and free ranging birds which had died at a pond of Mysuru Zoo December end.
"As per Central Zoo authority guidelines, two more set of samples were sent on 13th and 25th of January, to NIHSAD Bhopal for tests and they proved to be negative for Avian Influenza (H5N8). So following the clearances from the department of animal husbandry, the Forest secretary and the Central Zoo Authority, the Zoo re-opened on Friday," Kamala said.
