Fota Wildlife Park in Cork has confirmed it will remain closed for several weeks following an outbreak of avian influenza among wild birds in the area.

The park said eleven cases of the H5N1 strain had been confirmed in Greylag Geese, which are believed to have contracted the disease from wild populations in Cork Harbour.

Working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Fota has introduced a range of control measures, including isolating its captive birds from wild species and building temporary aviaries to house them through the winter.

In consultation with government veterinarians, the park has also taken the decision to humanely euthanise some of its affected Greylag Geese to prevent further spread of the virus and protect its conservation breeding programmes.

Aileen Tennant, director of Fota Wildlife Park, said the closure was a precautionary measure. “This is an extremely difficult time for everyone at Fota,” she said. “Our action is based on expert veterinary advice and reflects our commitment to safeguarding birds in our care, especially endangered breeding species.”

She said the park’s biosecurity protocols and vaccination programme had helped keep most birds healthy. “We look forward to welcoming visitors back once the site is officially deemed safe to reopen,” she added.

Fota Wildlife Park, part of the Zoological Society of Ireland, is home to around 700 animals and more than 160 birds, with 75 species listed as at risk of extinction.