Zoo in Stearns County Taking Steps to Protect Birds from Avian Influenza

(KNSI) – Zoos are taking precautions to protect their birds as Avian Influenza spreads across Minnesota. The flu is leading to the euthanization of thousands of turkeys and chickens. Stearns County is one of the affected counties and is home to Hemker Park & Zoo near Freeport. A statement from the zoo says:

“The welfare and well-being of our animals are of the utmost importance. We are following recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on biosecurity procedures to help prevent the potential spread of this deadly virus from wild birds to the birds in the zoo’s care.”

Zoo officials say their warm weather birds are inside at this time because of the cold weather. Other birds have a roof or netting to protect them.

The zoo is working with Minnesota’s veterinarian to put a plan in place to help ensure the bird’s health. The zoo has put stricter measures in place like getting rid of unnecessary traffic in the bird areas, removing foot baths, and have taken other hygiene measures to help protect birds from the HPAI.

Hemker Zoo has more than 70 different animals, including several birds species such as swans, southern crested screamers, parrots, cockatoos, crown cranes and waterfowl.

The zoo opens for the season on May 1st. For more information on Hemker Zoo, click here.

Stearns County is one of at least 28 in the state dealing with the largest avian influenza outbreak since 2015. More than 119,000 birds have been killed to keep the flu from spreading. More than 1.3 million birds have died statewide.

___