Bird Flu killed three tigers and a leopard at Nagpur’s Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park caused by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus. According to a story in The Times of India, the animals were taken from the wild in December after incidents of human-animal conflict occurred in Chandrapur. This is the first time that H5N1 has been known to kill captive animals in India.

Samples were sent on December 31, 2024, to the ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD) in Bhopal after the fatalities. By January 1, 2025, three tigers and two leopards were confirmed to have tested positive for the virus, while one male tiger tested negative.

Immediate Response and Containment Measures

Maharashtra officials issued a red warning for all of the state’s zoos due to the epidemic. Stopping the movement of animals both within and outside the institution is one of the first steps.

The Wildlife Research and Training Centre (WRTC) released a guide with biosecurity guidelines that include:

• Using nets and coverings to keep birds away from other animals.
• Preserving personal hygiene and cleaning tools and shoes.
• Ensuring carnivores are not fed raw poultry or meat from unreliable sources.
• Keeping an eye out for any odd signs of avian influenza in the health of the animals.

Abhijit Mitra, the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, sent a letter to Maharashtra’s chief secretary on January 3 requesting that sick or symptomatic animals be segregated and that public access to facilities be temporarily suspended. In all impacted areas, stricter biosecurity regulations have been enforced.

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Global Context and Concerns Over the Virus

According to the United Nations, H5N1, which was initially discovered in poultry birds, has “spilled over into wildlife” and affected approximately 70 mammalian species and more than 500 species worldwide. Even polar bears and Antarctic penguins have been impacted by the virus, which has spread to 108 nations on five continents.

The recent deaths in India, where Bird Flu killed three tigers and a leopard, underscore the virus’s rapid spread and its potential to affect diverse species. Although the WRTC’s letter doesn’t specify if the strain was 2.3.4.4b, this particular variant has been responsible for fatalities among humans, cattle, and wildlife globally.

The fatalities of the tigers and leopards emphasize the importance of addressing the issue holistically. The Animal Husbandry Commissioner highlighted the need for a One-Health strategy, which integrates efforts across sectors, including animal and human health, to mitigate risks effectively.

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