At the Dallas Zoo, flocks of flamingos are often the first attraction people visit.
For now, all they see are empty habitats.
“This afternoon some kids were running up to me and saying, 'Where are the flamingos?'” Can't see the flamingos? '' said Dr. Ann Bergforf, vice president of animal health and welfare at the Dallas Zoo.
Flamingo is currently closed to the public.
Burgdorf said the zoo's flamingos and most of the birds are being kept behind the scenes because of the deadly bird flu.
“This is the first time the Department of Agriculture has reported it within 80 miles of a zoo. This is the first time we've reached what we call the highest alert level,” Dr. Burgdorf said.
Although no birds at the zoo have been diagnosed with influenza, Dr. Burgdorf says it is highly contagious.
“Avian influenza is spread by wild bird faeces and bird droppings, which our birds can then come into contact with, and other birds can come into contact with avian influenza,” Dr. Burgdorf explained.
She said the birds that are still showing up are those that don't do well kept indoors for long periods of time.
Dr Burgdorf said he knows visitors miss the birds and hopes the fan favorite will return in the coming weeks.
Elisa Arpen, who visited the zoo, said, “It's a little sad, but we have to do what we have to do to protect the animals.''
Avian influenza outbreaks are increasing nationwide.
Since the first highly pathogenic case was detected in U.S. poultry in early 2022, it has now been detected in 47 states.
