Fota Wildlife Park To Remain Closed For Weeks Following Avian Flu Outbreak

Fota Wildlife Park has confirmed it will stay closed for a number of weeks after eleven cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza were identified in its Greylag Goose population. The outbreak originated from wild bird populations in the Cork Harbour area.

The popular wildlife attraction, located on Fota Island 10km east of Cork City, is working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to implement comprehensive mitigation measures. These include isolating bird species from wild populations and constructing temporary aviaries to house birds through the winter months.

In what officials described as an "extremely difficult" decision, the park has opted to humanely euthanise some of the affected Greylag Geese to prevent wider transmission and protect its rare conservation collection.

Aileen Tennant, Director of Fota Wildlife Park, said:

"This is an extremely difficult time for everyone at Fota Wildlife Park. This action is being taken based on expert veterinary advice and our unwavering commitment to safeguarding birds in our care, especially our endangered breeding species."

She emphasised that the park's extensive vaccination programme and biosecurity protocols have been successful, with the majority of birds remaining healthy and showing no symptoms.

Ms Tennant added:

"I want to reassure the public that while our gates remain closed, our animal care team is continuing to deliver the highest standards of care for all of the animals at Fota Wildlife Park. We look forward to being able to welcome visitors back to the Park when the site is officially deemed safe to reopen."

The wildlife park is home to 21 species of captive birds, approximately 168 birds in total, alongside over 100 species of animals. Seventy-five of these animal species are at risk of extinction.

Fota Wildlife Park, part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, typically welcomes around 430,000 visitors annually. The conservation charity operates across 100 acres and focuses on inspiring public understanding of biodiversity threats and habitat conservation.

The park is working with the Department of Agriculture on a longer-term strategy to protect its collection from future outbreaks in wild bird populations.