Sunset Zoo takes action to protect animals from Avian Influenza

Manhattan— Sunset Zoo is taking prevention protocol measures to protect the animals in their care at Sunset Zoo, according to a media release from the zoo.

Members of the zoo's veterinary Exotic Animal Care Team from Kansas State University are working closely with the animal care staff at Sunset Zoo to implement procedures necessary to protect the animals in our care.

Currently, there is no active outbreak of HPNAI within Riley and Geary County; however, positive cases have been reported within Kansas and as close as Franklin County.

"We take the health and safety of every animal at Sunset Zoo very seriously. We are taking the necessary precautions to keep them safe. Therefore some of our areas of Sunset Zoo may be closed to the public, such as the Australian Walkabout, which houses our enclosed aviary and our Emus. We additionally are closing the viewing area of the Caribbean Flamingos. Our South American birds will remain indoors as well," said Savannah Brethauer, Head Keeper for Sunset Zoo. 

Both will still be visible from outside their habitats and will remain closed while the animal care team monitors the situation closely.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPNAI), otherwise known as "bird flu," is a viral infection that is mostly found in migratory waterfowl such as ducks and geese; though any wild bird and several species of wild mammals can carry the disease and spread it. Most often, wild birds will carry the virus but show no external symptoms, making it difficult to determine where the disease is coming from. HPNAI generally poses a larger threat to poultry operations and game farms. This current strain of Avian Influenza is not believed to pose a risk to human health, and the CDC states that the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans.

Even though the name of the virus leads one to believe that only birds are infected, many zoo animals are susceptible to the disease beyond our bird collection, such as primates and various cat species. Therefore, as part of some preventative measures, in unison with closing viewing areas and bringing birds inside, animal care staff will add additional disinfectant protocols, increase personal protective equipment use, change current feeding practices, and adjust diets as necessary.

"We are working closely with our veterinary team and ensuring we know all the signs and symptoms to look for and what isolation policies will be necessary should we have a positive case on grounds," says Brethauer.

"It is part of our protocol overall and as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to provide the best care possible to all the animals we provide homes for at Sunset Zoo. Our care team is taking great precaution and preventive measures to keep our animal communities safe," said Sunset Zoo Director Scott Shoemaker.