Fota Wildlife Park Enacts Temporary Closure Amid Suspected Avian Flu
Fota Wildlife Park in County Cork has announced a temporary closure on Tuesday and Wednesday as a precautionary measure after a suspected outbreak of avian influenza. The decision, taken by park authorities in consultation with veterinary experts, aims to protect both the park’s captive birds and the surrounding wildlife while tests are carried out.
The park, which opened in 1983 and attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year, is home to hundreds of captive exotic birds and a large population of free-flying native species. The reported concern centers on three geese found dead at the park, prompting veterinarians to submit samples for testing at the State Laboratory in County Kildare to determine whether avian influenza is the cause.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a viral disease that can affect the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems of many bird species and is highly contagious among birds. The notifiable disease requires careful monitoring and swift action to prevent spread within and beyond aviaries and habitats.
Context: A Preceding Outbreak in Cork
The developing situation at Fota follows a closely watched incident near Cork City in late September. The Lough area, a four-hectare freshwater lake popular with walkers and birds, was confirmed to have an outbreak involving wild birds. Cork City Council reported that tests detected highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 among birds found dead at the lake, underscoring the ongoing risk to wild populations and to local premises housing birds.
Officials emphasized that avian influenza can persist in the environment for weeks, particularly in faecal matter, and that infected sites may remain contagious even after carcasses are removed. The council, together with the Cork Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA), has been coordinating with the Department of Agriculture to monitor birds and enforce rapid response protocols, including the removal of sick or dead birds as a precaution.
About Fota Wildlife Park
Located roughly 10 kilometers from Cork city, Fota Wildlife Park spans about 40 hectares of grass and woodland. It is renowned for its conservation breeding programmes, housing a variety of exotic species such as Chilean flamingos, Indian peafowl, Humboldt penguins, great white pelicans, white-tailed sea eagles, and ostriches. The park also provides natural habitats for free-roaming native birds like magpies, jackdaws, greylag geese, mallard ducks, and various passerines, offering visitors a chance to observe diverse avian life in one location.
What This Means for Visitors and the Local Community
During the closures, operators will coordinate testing results with public health and agricultural authorities. If tests confirm avian influenza in park geese, additional measures may follow, including enhanced surveillance, quarantine of affected areas, and cleaning protocols to minimize transmission risk. Some visitors may have inquiries about refunds, future visits, or how to best enjoy Ireland’s wildlife parks while avian influenza activity continues in the region.
Public health and agricultural authorities remind residents that wild birds can carry influenza without showing obvious symptoms, and vigilance remains essential through the autumn migration season. The park’s management has indicated it will communicate updates promptly as testing results become available and guidance from authorities is issued.
For families and wildlife enthusiasts, Fota’s temporary closure is a reminder of the delicate balance between conservation, tourism, and animal health — a balance that requires swift, science-based decisions to protect both animal welfare and the broader ecosystem.
