Bird flu outbreak suspected after death of 20 swans in park

A suspected bird flu outbreak has killed 20 swans in an Edinburgh park.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said its ranger team has been mobilised to remove any dead wildlife from St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park and is urging members of the public to stay away from the birds in the area.

HES has also installed signs by the man-made loch and is warning against feeding the flock at this time to curb any spread of the virus – which is deadly to birds.

Hilary Thacker, from community group Friends of the Water of Leith Basin, told Sky News that the situation seems to have stabilised as there have been no further deaths “for a few days”.

Ms Thacker, who also assists with the Lothians and Fife swan and goose study group, said there were around 79 swans in the area this time last year. That has now plummeted to around 32.

As well as the suspected avian influenza outbreak at St Margaret’s Loch, Ms Thacker said there have also been swan deaths at Linlithgow Loch recently.

Ms Thacker believes blue-green algae – a toxic bacteria that can be fatal to pets, livestock and birds if left untreated – could be aggravating the situation by leaving the swans susceptible to infection.

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‘Some survive, but it has weakened them’

She said: “The blue-green algae leaves them with pink feathers. Some survive, but it has weakened them.

“Linlithgow Loch is very, very bad with blue-green algae.”

Most recently, a “highly pathogenic” avian influenza was confirmed at a premises near Crossgates in Fife on 2 February.

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone were set up to stem any spread of the virus.

It comes after control zones were also set up in Dumfries and Galloway, Clackmannanshire, the Highlands and Aberdeenshire in January due to similar outbreaks.

Bird flu was also found to have spilled to mammals in the UK, with otters and foxes testing positive for the virus.

‘Avoid touching any dead or dying birds’

An HES spokesperson said: “We can confirm that sadly there has been a series of swan deaths around St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park due to suspected avian influenza, now totalling 20.

“Our ranger team are working to remove any dead birds as soon as practicable and have installed signage around the loch advising visitors to avoid touching any dead or dying birds, and to keep themselves and dogs away from known areas where birds gather.”

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