San Diego zoos effectively prevent bird flu infections

Bird flu has severely affected many bird populations worldwide, but San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and SeaWorld have successfully kept their animals safe. Since the H5N1 strain of avian flu was detected in the U.S. three years ago, none of the zoo's birds or other creatures have tested positive for the virus. To enhance safety, the parks have made several changes. For instance, they now feed higher-quality beef to their carnivorous animals like California condors and tigers. This shift is part of their ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of bird flu. The parks are closely monitoring wild birds and have implemented strict biosecurity measures. Despite the precautions taken, wild birds near the parks are still a concern. Officials have reported finding dead wild birds on the Safari Park grounds that tested positive for the virus. They promptly send any dead birds to a lab for testing. While San Diego's parks have managed to avoid infections, other zoos have faced challenges. Some facilities have reported losses among their animals due to bird flu. To limit contact between their birds and wild ones, the parks regularly clean habitats and discourage wild birds from nesting nearby. Experts continue to learn from the ongoing outbreak. They focus on understanding how the virus spreads and adapting their strategies accordingly. For instance, they have stopped sanitizing delivery trucks, which was a previous concern. Since the outbreak began, vaccination efforts have also expanded, especially for California condors. After the death of multiple condors in 2023, federal agencies approved the use of a vaccine for this endangered species. As of mid-March 2025, many condors in the parks have been vaccinated, and ongoing monitoring of their immunity is planned. The ongoing threat of bird flu is troubling, as it has caused extensive harm to both wild and domestic birds globally. Conservationists remain dedicated to protecting vulnerable species while trying to navigate the risks associated with the virus.