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| Colchester Zoo announces Bird Flu Contingency Plan - 28-Oct-05 |
Colchester Zoo announces
contingency plan to counter
the threat of Bird Flu
Colchester Zoo has prepared a contingency plan, as a precautionary measure, against the threat of an Avian Bird Flu outbreak. The plan, which has been developed following advice from DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs), will ensure that the zoo takes all measures to reduce and control the threat of an outbreak of Avian Bird Flu.
The contingency plan will ensure that additional hygiene measures are observed by keeping staff at the zoo including the introduction of foot dips at each bird enclosure. Additionally all feeding and watering of birds in the zoo’s collection will now take place in indoor areas to avoid attracting wild birds. Observation of the wild bird population within the zoo grounds is also taking place. In addition, indoor accommodation has been allocated to the whole of the zoo’s bird collection should the need arise.
Visitors are still able to view the collection of birds at the zoo but are advised that during particularly cold periods in the winter months some bird species are placed in off show accommodation as standard zoo practice.
The zoo will continue to work with DEFRA and has guidelines to follow in the event of an outbreak. The zoo wishes to assure all visitors that the birds within the zoo’s collection will be given the utmost care and attention to avoid any infection. Zoo Curator Anthony Tropeano commented “We are taking every measure to reduce the risk of infection and assure visitors that the birds within our collection will be placed in protected accommodation if a threat is imminent.”
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