The samples were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD) in Bhopal on Sunday and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly.

Gorakhpur Zoo Deputy Director Dr. Yogesh Pratap Singh confirmed that some animals were indicating the disease, motivating the latest round of tests. He said that the zoo would remain closed for visitors until all the test reports returned negative.

Earlier on Friday (June 21), the second round of testing involving 72 animal samples returned negative results from NIHSAD, leading to the hopes of reopening the zoo. Both Bareilly and Bhopal laboratories confirmed the absence of any infectious disease, indicating that the animals were healthy.

The zoo was initially closed to the public as a precautionary measure on 13 May, after detecting bird flu in a tiger dying on 7 May. In a period of 45 days, four animals died in the zoo, causing vigilance and bio -safety measures.

Zoo officials said that strict biote safety protocols will continue to apply, and the final decision on reopening the zoo will be taken after the results of the latest tests get the results.