Tulsa Zoo Takes Some Birds Off Display Due To Avian Flu Concerns

The Tulsa Zoo is taking precautions to prevent the spread of avian flu among its birds.

Several kinds of birds are not on display, as the flu spreads across the country and has now been discovered in Oklahoma, but has not been confirmed at the zoo.

It comes after Oklahoma reported the first confirmed case of bird flu in the state in a wild duck found in Payne County last week.

Tulsa Zoo officials say they've been monitoring the spread of the virus and now that there’s a confirmed case in Oklahoma, they’re taking action.

Joe Barkowski is the Vice President for animal conservation at the zoo and says they've moved their birds away from any that may come into contact with migratory, wild birds.

That means the flamingos are now in a covered area behind the scenes.

A couple of buildings with some birds are also closed, but Barkowski says other birds are still on display just in a more protected environment.

Barkowski says the flu is very rarely spread to humans but can be deadly to bird populations, especially ones living in close proximity to each other.

"It's very easily transmitted from bird to bird in close contact with each other,” said Barkowski. “So if you have a lot of poultry in one place, the concern is that it could cross very quickly through the whole flock, or again for a flock of flamingos it would be the same concern."

The zoo is still open during its normal hours and they still encourage people to come out.

Zookeepers also say they are monitoring wild birds near their property as well for any signs of sickness.

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