New York, NY — An outbreak of avian flu has severely impacted bird populations in New York’s celebrated city zoos, resulting in the death of multiple birds and prompting swift action from state officials. Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the temporary closure of all live poultry markets across New York City and surrounding areas to curb the virus’s spread.
The Wildlife Conservation Society, which oversees operations for both the Queens and Bronx Zoos, has confirmed the loss of several birds including three hooded merganser ducks at the Queens Zoo and potentially twelve birds at the Bronx Zoo, where lab results are still pending. The ongoing crisis extends to wild birds as well, with a red-tailed hawk in the Bronx and a great horned owl in Queens among the casualties documented by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Officials are taking extensive measures to protect other zoo inhabitants from exposure, particularly waterfowl which are more susceptible to the virus. “Vulnerable bird species have been moved to protected areas while our curators and veterinary staff continuously consult with city, state, and federal health regulators,” stated a spokeswoman for the Conservation Society.
Despite the alarming number of bird fatalities, the risk of human exposure to the virus remains minimal, and the zoos continue to welcome visitors. However, beyond the wildlife and zoo communities, commercial poultry businesses are feeling the pandemic’s effects acutely. Over 156 million birds nationwide have been affected, forcing the industry into widespread culling operations which in turn have escalated egg prices.
Governor Hochul’s directive to cleanse live poultry markets includes areas beyond the city limits, encompassing Westchester and Long Island as well. This decision came following the discovery of seven bird flu cases last week in markets situated in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Market workers, who have started slaughtering birds to prevent further virus transmission, confront unprecedented challenges.
The response reaches suburban settings too where wildlife authorities are testing a recently deceased flock of Canada geese in Mount Pleasant, only 16 miles from the Bronx Zoo, for avian flu traces. These efforts underscore the broader impact of the outbreak on the region’s ecosystem and economy.
Avian influenza, while not unusally a direct threat to humans, poses significant concerns for avian species’ conservation, public health, and the economy. Measures currently underway reflect a concerted effort to mitigate these effects as state and federal entities respond to a rapidly evolving situation. As the situation develops, further analysis will determine the efficacy of the intervention measures and ongoing risk to both avian and human populations throughout the affected regions.