Fota Wildlife Park Closes Until Further Notice Following Bird Flu Outbreak

Fota Wildlife Park has been forced to close to the public after four birds tested positive for avian influenza, with weekly operational costs of €120,000 threatening the future of Cork's beloved conservation charity whilst visitor revenue remains suspended.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine suspended public access to the popular East Cork attraction today following confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu in unvaccinated birds at the 100-acre park.

The closure comes as a significant blow to the not-for-profit organisation, which relies entirely on visitor income to fund its conservation work protecting endangered species. With approximately 430,000 visitors annually, the park faces mounting pressure as its €120,000 weekly operational costs continue despite generating no revenue during the shutdown.

Aileen Tennant, Director of Fota Wildlife Park, said:

"This is an extremely uncertain and worrying time for all of us at Fota Wildlife Park. We are working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and remain focused on the care and welfare of our team and the wildlife in the Park."

Ms Tennant added: "We are very grateful for the outpouring of support from members of the public, visitors, annual pass holders, as well as from our partners and international colleagues. I am conscious that this is a complex and dynamic situation, and we will continue to work closely under the Department's guidance, with a focus on getting to the stage where the Park can reopen when it is safe to do so."

The park, located on Fota Island 10 kilometres east of Cork City, is home to 21 species of captive birds, totalling approximately 168 birds. The facility also houses over 100 species of animals, with almost 700 animals in total, including 75 species at risk of extinction.

Staff at Fota Wildlife Park maintain a robust disease prevention and response programme, which includes an established avian influenza vaccination programme for birds in their care. The current outbreak affects unvaccinated birds at the facility.

The park, part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, has made considerable investment in recent years, including the sustainably built Education, Conservation and Research Centre, co-funded by the Government via the Office of Public Works. Recent sustainability initiatives include installing 1,112 square metres of solar panels and retrofitting the giraffe house with improved insulation.

Safety of staff and animal welfare remain the primary concerns during the closure. The park has confirmed it will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.

Fota Wildlife Park opened to the public in June 1983 and celebrated four decades of conservation work last year. Its core mission focuses on conservation, education and research, working to foster public understanding of threats to global biodiversity.