OMAHA, NE, April 7 (Usa): Zoos across North America are moving their birds indoors and away from people and wildlife as they try to protect them from the highly contagious and potentially deadly bird flu.
Penguins may be the only birds visitors to many zoos can see at the moment, because they are already kept indoors and are usually protected behind glass in their exhibits, making them difficult for bird flu to access, the AP reports.
Nearly 23 million chickens and turkeys have already been killed across the United States to curb the spread of the virus, and zoos are working hard to prevent any of their birds from facing the same fate. It would be especially troublesome if zoos had to kill any of the endangered or threatened species in their care.
“It would be very devastating,” said Maria Frank, director of welfare sciences at the Toronto Zoo, which has fewer than two dozen Loggerhead Shrike songbirds breeding in hopes of reintroducing them into the wild. “We take amazing care, and the well-being and welfare of our animals is of paramount importance. There are a lot of staff who have close ties to the animals they look after here at the zoo.”
Toronto Zoo workers add roofs to some outdoor bird exhibits and double-check enclosures around the net to ensure it will keep out wild birds.
Birds excrete the virus through their droppings and nasal secretions. Experts say it can spread through contaminated equipment, clothing, shoes and vehicles carrying supplies. Research has shown that small birds that perch on zoo exhibits or buildings can also spread the flu, and mice can track it indoors.
So far, no outbreaks of the disease have been reported in zoos, but dead wild birds with influenza have been found. For example, Zoo spokesman Ryan Bickle said a wild duck died in the backstage area at Blanc Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa, after tornadoes last month tested positive.
Most of the steps zoos take are designed to prevent contact between wild birds and zoo animals. In some places, officials require employees to change into clean shoes and wear protective clothing before entering birding areas.
When cases of bird flu are detected in poultry, officials order the entire flock to be killed because the virus is highly contagious. However, the USDA has indicated that zoos may be able to avoid this by isolating infected birds and possibly euthanizing a small number of them.
Sarah Woodhouse, director of animal health at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, said she was optimistic after speaking with state and federal regulators.
“They all agree that ordering us to evacuate a large portion of our population would be a last resort ever. So they are really interested in working with us to see what we can do to make sure that we don’t spread disease while also being able to care for our birds and not have to euthanize,” he said. Woodhouse.
Among the precautions zoos take is to keep birds in smaller groups so that if a condition is found, only a few will be affected. USDA and state veterinarians will make the final decision about which birds to kill.
“Euthanasia is really the only way to prevent its spread,” said Luis Padilla, vice president of animal collections at the St. Louis Zoo. “That’s why we have a lot of these proactive measures in place.”
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh—the country’s largest—provides individual health checks for each of its nearly 500 birds. Many of them already live in large glass enclosures or outdoor habitats where they are not directly exposed to wildlife, said Dr. Pilar Fish, senior director of veterinary medicine and avian zoology development.
Sean Putney, CEO of the Kansas City Zoo, said he’s heard some complaints from visitors, but most people seem to agree not to see some of the birds. “I think our guests realize that we have the best interests of animals in mind when we make these decisions even though they can’t see them,” Putney said.
Officials stress that bird flu does not jeopardize the safety of meat or eggs and does not pose a significant risk to human health. Infected birds are not allowed into the food supply, and properly cooking poultry and eggs kills bacteria and viruses. No human cases have been found in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.