Delays, biosecurity failures worsened flu outbreak at Nepal zoo, probe finds
KATHMANDU — Delayed reporting, poor communication and weak biosecurity allowed bird flu to spread through Nepal’s Central Zoo in June and July killing or prompting the culling of at least 65 birds and animals, according to an internal inquiry report obtained by Mongabay. The investigation by the nonprofit National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), the […]
An internal inquiry report obtained by Mongabay reveals that delays in reporting, poor communication, and weak biosecurity measures contributed to a severe bird flu outbreak at Nepal's Central Zoo in June and July 2026. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), which manages the zoo, found that officials failed to respond adequately to a warning about avian influenza among crows in Kathmandu.
The zoo remained open for five days after a rapid test indicated the virus was present, allowing the disease to spread and kill or prompt the culling of at least 65 birds and animals. The investigation led by NTNC spokesperson and programs manager Rachana Shah raised questions about a potential conflict of interest, but she dismissed these concerns, stating that the goal was to identify institutional failures and draw lessons from the outbreak.
Brief written by urgent.news from Mongabay's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
