The Zoological Garden in Berlin was cleared on Friday afternoon. A spokeswoman for the Senate Department for Consumer Protection confirmed a bird flu case. It is not yet clear how long the closure will last – according to the “Tagesspiegel” it could be several weeks.
According to the zoo, there is a confirmed bird flu case. A hammerhead, a species of African waterfowl, died on November 13. The virus has now been confirmed in the laboratory. “In consultation with the local authorities, Zoo Berlin will be closed to guests as a precaution with immediate effect,” it said.
Almost all birds, including the penguins, were placed in rear aviaries and stables. “Fortunately, no other animal shows symptoms of the disease,” said the zoological director of Zoo und Tierpark Berlin, Christian Kern. They would still be tested for the virus.
A precautionary closure of the entire zoo grounds is an important step in this situation until you have a better overview of the situation, said the Senate Department for Consumer Protection. The primary goal is to prevent the virus from spreading.
