Photo: rte.ie
Fota Wildlife Park Closes Amid Avian Influenza Threat to Greylag Geese
Fota Wildlife Park has decided to euthanise some of its Greylag goose population due to confirmed H5N1 Avian influenza cases, prompting a temporary closure to mitigate further infection risks.
- Fota Wildlife Park announced the euthanasia of some Greylag goose individuals after 11 confirmed cases of H5N1 Avian influenza were detected within the park.
- The park will remain closed for a number of weeks as it implements measures to limit the risk of further infection from wild birds in the vicinity of Fota Island.
- Fota Wildlife Park Director Aileen Tennant described the decision as extremely difficult, emphasizing the parks commitment to wildlife health and conservation biology amid this crisis.
Why It Matters
The outbreak of H5N1 Avian influenza poses significant threats to bird populations and highlights the challenges in wildlife conservation efforts. This incident at Fota Wildlife Park underscores the urgent need for effective measures to prevent disease spread among vulnerable species.