Fota Wildlife Park to remain closed until the end of November as 73 birds euthanised

FOTA WILDLIFE PARK in Co Cork will remain closed until at least the end of November following an outbreak of avian influenza. 

The Park has been closed to the public since 14 October after the disease, commonly known as bird flu, was discovered.

It had originally been due to close for several days but this period of closure is still ongoing.

The Park is located on 100 acres at Fota Island, around 10 kilometres east of Cork City, and is home to 21 species of captive birds and over 100 species of animals – 75 of these animal species are at risk of extinction.

In an update this afternoon, Fota Wildlife Park said its bird population is currently testing negative for bird flu, but will remain closed for “a minimum” of three weeks based on an “ongoing assessment of the national avian flu situation”.

The situation will be assessed again at the end of that period. 

The Park confirmed that 12 cases of bird flu have been identified since the outbreak began. 

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“As a result, the difficult decision was reached to humanely euthanise 73 birds from the Park’s collection, as a limited population management measure for non-endangered avian species,” a statement from the Park said.

“Due to the seriousness of the avian flu outbreak, this was the only option that could be taken in order to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare for the Park’s remaining birds, and in order to minimise the transmission of the virus within the Park.”

Fota Wildlife Park has since been implementing a “comprehensive strategy” of targeted mitigation measures to limit the risk of further infection from wild birds. 

This includes isolating the bird species in its care from the wild population and the construction of temporary aviaries to house birds.

As part of this strategy, an additional 83 birds have been separated from the wild population and either isolated or housed in temporary aviaries in order to protect them from exposure to wild animals carrying bird flu. 

Fota Wildlife Park said all of these birds are vaccinated but will continue to be tested, and the situation will be monitored in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

“At this time, the Park’s bird population is testing negative for avian influenza,” it added. 

‘Significant financial impact’

The Park said that while it remains closed, the overriding priority of its expert team is the ongoing care and welfare of its animal population and its commitment to its conservation breeding programmes for rare and endangered species. 

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Director Aileen Tennant said Fota Wildlife Park is “incredibly grateful” for the support from the public during this time, adding that its visitors and supporters are “the lifeblood of this Park”.

“Regrettably, the stark reality is that the ongoing closure of the Park is having a significant financial impact on us, particularly the loss of our vital visitor revenue,” Tennant said. 

“The work of conservation and expert animal care cannot be put on hold because our gates are closed. We incur operational expenses of an average €120,000 each week.”

She said that being closed for multiple weeks could generate monthly revenue losses of approximately €320,000, with further financial impacts being felt from the loss of annual passes, retail sales, gift vouchers and onsite catering.

“Despite these challenges, we would like to assure the public that the well-being of the animals in our care is our absolute priority,” she added. 

Tennant said the Park is asking the public “to continue their long-standing support” at this time. 

“You have always supported us by visiting in your thousands; now we ask you to continue your support in a different way while we are closed. We are encouraging the public to support the Park through donations or sponsorship of an animal.”

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