Staff intensify biosecurity measures to protect over 1,200 birds from bird flu

Staff at Paradise Park in Cornwall have intensified their biosecurity measures to help protect over 1200 birds representing 130 species, following the news of a Bird Flu outbreak near Newlyn and recent daily reports on local news and social media.

UPDATED March 2024.

Curator David Woolcock said “It is vital we do everything we can to protect our bird collection from Avian Influenza. We are home to many threatened and critically endangered birds and even one sub-species which is thought to be extinct in the wild, the Mitchell’s Lorikeet. Caribbean Flamingos and Humboldt’s Penguins are also of serious conservation concern.

Keeper Georgia with Penguin ‘Peaches’

Biosecurity and veterinary health has always been a priority at the Park, achieving praise at independent inspections, and now we have increased the measures in place. This includes making some changes to our daily events. Uur ‘Eagles of Paradise Display’ and ‘Free Flying Bird Show’ will be happening for summer 2024, but we may minimise the time our Scarlet Macaw flock is at liberty flying free at the Park, and will continue to react to any changes in the wild bird situation as they occur. All of the Park continues to be open including the indoor JungleBarn Play Centre and Zebedee the Jungle Express Train.

Mitchel’s Lorikeets

Scarlet Macaw flock free fly at Paradise Park

For almost 50 years, this award-winning wildlife sanctuary has been at the forefront of bird conservation and is home to the World Parrot Trust a registered charity active around the world, which has so far helped the survival of 80 species of parrot in 43 countries. Also home to Operation Chough, which has achieved great success and played a key role in the re-introduction of the Red-billed Chough on Jersey, plus, other projects including with partners in Kent.