The flamingos and parrots have been moved indoors as a precaution.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There’s lots much less squawking and chatter these days at town’s traditional Sunken Gardens.
Workers just lately moved its flamboyance of flamingos and pandemonium of parrots from public view on 4th Road North amid the nationwide outbreak of avian influenza, in any other case often called chicken flu. Guests to its web site discover a message stating that the birds “will predominantly stay indoors and off exhibit till the scenario improves.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee just lately confirmed circumstances of the extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in black vultures and Muscovy geese. Well being and wildlife officers say there aren’t any identified human infections of HPAI in North America.
Sunken Gardens’ 31 birds had been relocated to indoor holding areas earlier this month and can stay there in the meanwhile, stated Dwayne Biggs, the museum’s supervisor.
It up to now seems all are “doing nicely and wholesome with no indicators of being affected by the native outbreak,” he added.
The Sunken Gardens is one among the most recent venues that has taken steps to guard its animals. In late April, indicators went up at ZooTampa at Lowry Park advising guests that some aviaries and chicken displays are closed. A confirmed case of chicken flu in Hillsborough County prompted officers to have a look at every species to find out which birds wanted to be moved to security.
“The protection of our animals, lots of that are species which might be below risk of extinction, is our utmost precedence and we now have proactive plans in place for numerous eventualities,” stated Cynthia Stringfield, Sr. Director of Animal Well being, Training and Conservation at ZooTampa.
Florida ranks No. 3 within the U.S. when it comes to the variety of confirmed HPAI infections at 107, based on the Division of Agriculture. There are seemingly many extra circumstances not confirmed.
