Two animal deaths at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo have been attributed to an outbreak of bird flu, or bird flu, zoo officials announced Wednesday.
He also announced that his aviary would be closed indefinitely to protect the remaining animals.
Signage at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois on June 17, 2018. (Photo by Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
Tests confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, was responsible for the deaths of a Chilean flamingo on January 8 and a harbor seal on January 9.
“The zoo is saddened by the loss of a Chilean flamingo named Teal and a seal named Slater,” the zoo said in a statement posted on its website Wednesday.
“Teal was born this fall and was getting to know her herd and keepers,” the statement continued. “Slater was 7 years old and a beloved seal known for his cheerful and quirky nature. He was a quick learner and could often be seen participating in training sessions with the goalkeepers.”
“Both will be sorely missed,” the zookeeper said.
Teal the Chilean flamingo.
Lincoln Park Zoo
The statement explained that it has not yet been confirmed whether one of the two animals has been affected by bird flu.
However, “the cause is certain to be contact with a waterfowl infected with HPAI,” which is the virus known as bird flu.
“This is sad news for wildlife and zoo staff. Not only are we facing the first cases of HPAI in animals in our care, but we have lost two amazing animals,” said Dr. Kathryn Gamble, director of veterinary medicine. Services for Lincoln Park Zoo.
Gamble explained that HPAI is a “naturally occurring virus in waterfowl,” but said that more and more mammal species have also been found to be susceptible to the virus in recent years.
Slater seal.
Lincoln Park Zoo
That includes them several domestic cats illnesses in California last month were attributed to bird flu contamination of raw pet food.
“Sharing this news of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the area is important to our community at large,” said Seth Magle, director of the zoo’s Urban Wildlife Institute, emphasizing the need to keep both people and their pets away from wildlife during bird flu. appearances
“For your own protection, do not handle wild animals,” said the Muggle. “Also, keep your pets safe by keeping cats indoors and dogs on (a) leash away from wildlife.”
In its statement, Lincoln Park Zoo added, “Zoo visitors are not at risk of contracting HPAI from animals at Lincoln Park Zoo.”
“Because highly pathogenic avian influenza is spread by free-ranging birds, visiting Lincoln Park Zoo is no more dangerous than enjoying a walk outside,” said ornithologist Megan Ross, who is also president and CEO of Lincoln Park Zoo. “Zoos continue to be a safe place to connect with the animals in our care.”
When animals died, Lincoln Park Zoo monitored reports of HPAI and implemented an HPAI Response Plan that “addresses considerations for staff and animals.”
“These measures include additional personal protective equipment, elimination of cross-contamination opportunities between species, and focused monitoring of individual changes in animal health or behavior,” the zoo said in its statement.
In addition to closing the McCormick Bird House “until further notice,” the zoo announced that some of its bird species will remain “behind the scenes” for the foreseeable future to ensure the protection of other animals in its care.
