Fota Wildlife Park has reopened to the public after a 10-week closure due to an outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu). All birds in Fota Wildlife Park’s population have been tested twice for avian influenza, with all results returning negative. The park will continue to maintain its enhanced biosecurity measures and monitoring protocols. Former Cork TD and minister, and now a member of the Fota Wildlife Park board of governors, Simon Coveney, told the Irish Examiner: “This is a fantastic day – the last 10 weeks have been really quite traumatic for staff. Mr Coveney added: “This was in absolutely no way Fota’s fault - the bird flu came in from a wild bird population, and the vaccination policy saved the vast majority of birds here.

Source: Irish Examiner December 20, 2025 14:31 UTC