A large group of birds at the ABQ BioPark have been moved to isolation after the discovery of a positive case of avian flu, also known as bird flu, in Bernalillo County. The popular penguin chill exhibit also was closed to avoid cross-contamination and possible exposure, according to a KOB report.
The BioPark, according to KOB, was told by the USDA that the positive case likely came from a non-commercial flock.
Albuquerque BioPark Associate Director Bob Lee guessed the positive case could have come from, “Somebody that owns probably some chickens in their backyard, something like that. But it could’ve been goose, could’ve been ducks.”
Lee said the birds were isolated by bringing them inside and other habitats were “tarped to protect them from exposure.”
Lee said the positive test is taken very seriously and measures are underway to prevent the spread of the bird flu. “Just them passing through the BioPark, they could actually give it to the animals here,” Lee said. “This is a fly-through area so they’re always landing, checking things out and moving on. So, we’re a regular spot for wild birds.”
Though the flu could spread to other animals, Lee says the primary focus is protecting the birds. “It can spread within a flock so we would probably isolate that animal, get them the veterinary care that they need and protect the rest of the animals for sure,” Lee said. “It can transmit to other animals but the likelihood of that’s pretty low, so it’s mainly the birds we’re watching.”