COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium said that its Lorikeet Aviary is temporarily closed after many birds contracted West Nile virus, and some have also died.
As of Monday, 22 of the more than 60 lorikeets have been affected by the mosquito-borne virus. Of them, 10 have died and 12 are receiving treatment. The zoo said the affected birds are receiving twice-daily treatments, supportive therapies and are being closely monitored.
The zoo said birds in other aviaries haven’t been impacted, but they’re being monitored by care teams.
“Our team is acting quickly, providing supportive therapies and round-the-clock monitoring to help affected birds recover,” the zoo wrote in a statement.
Officials said the issue is not unique to the zoo, as the virus occurs every year during mosquito season across the U.S. Most animals are rarely affected, like dogs and cats. However, some species, like horses and birds, can be more susceptible. The zoo added that even though the lorikeets have been vaccinated against the virus, the vaccine is not always affective.
“We know how much our guests love visiting the lorikeets, and we’re committed to giving them the best care possible,” the zoo said. “Please join us in recognizing our keeper and veterinary teams for their extraordinary efforts.
Lydia Taylor
Source link