LALITPUR, July 20: Jawalakhel Zoo in Lalitpur suffered an estimated loss of Rs 30 million after it remained closed to visitors for 27 days following the confirmation of a bird flu outbreak.
The National Trust for Nature Conservation closed the zoo to the public from June 19 after the infection was detected. It reopened on July 17 after authorities confirmed the outbreak had been brought under control.
Jawalakhel Zoo reopens after bird flu outbreak brought under co...
According to the zoo's Information Officer, Ganesh Koirala, the management carried out intensive cleaning, treated infected animals and birds, and implemented other preventive measures after the outbreak. A joint meeting of officials from the Department of Livestock Services, the Central Veterinary Laboratory, and the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division later decided to reopen the zoo.
Koirala said the zoo normally receives between 1,700 and 1,800 visitors on weekdays. Visitor numbers typically rise to between 5,000 and 7,000 on Saturdays and between 3,500 and 5,000 on Sundays. However, only 800 people visited the zoo on the first day after it reopened.
The zoo charges an entry fee of Rs 100 for children and senior citizens, Rs 150 for students, and Rs 250 for other visitors.
The zoo generated around Rs 180 million in revenue in the last fiscal year. It had set a target of earning Rs 210 million in FY 2025/26, but officials said the prolonged closure caused by the bird flu outbreak has made that goal difficult to achieve.
The ticket counter is currently open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and all visitors are required to leave the premises by 5:00 pm. Before the outbreak, ticket sales continued until 6:00 pm.
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