Sedgwick County Zoo officials said Monday that a response plan has been activated in response to a positive case of avian flu in the county.
The strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) presents a risk for many Zoo animals, so the Tropics building will be temporarily closed and Penguin Encounters will be discontinued for the time being. Zoo officials said the animal care staff will be working to provide the birds with the best care, following strict safety protocols.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture said the case identified in Sedgwick County was in a non-poultry flock, involving birds that were not intended for sale. The Department said there have been no cases in poultry flocks since the spring. The bird flu virus has been spread through the migration of wild birds.
