Pelzmühlenteich is drained
Precautionary measures to protect against avian influenza
To protect against bird flu, the Pelzmühlenteich pond is being drained with immediate effect. The aim is to deter wild water birds that use the pond. The numerous wild birds - mainly wild ducks - are to seek out other standing or flowing waters in the wider neighbourhood.
So far, no case of bird flu (also known as avian influenza) has been detected in this area. Should the disease be detected in an animal, Chemnitz Zoo in particular would be affected by the protective and control measures to be introduced. Due to its immediate neighbourhood, it would be located in the restricted area to be established. Among other things, this would also mean restricted visitor and animal traffic. The measure is intended to minimise this risk as a precautionary measure.
Measures to protect against bird flu (avian influenza) have already been implemented at Chemnitz Zoo since mid-November. Aviaries and enclosures housing birds were covered with tarpaulins and some of the birds had to be moved indoors. The duck pond in the zoo was also drained so that wild ducks have no incentive to stay there.
Appropriate precautions were also taken with the birds living in the Oberrabenstein wildlife enclosure and the botanical garden.
On 14 November, the State Directorate of Saxony issued animal disease control measures following the deaths of waterfowl in the state from avian influenza (also known colloquially as bird flu) of the currently widespread subtype H5N8. As of 23 November, a total of seven confirmed cases have been recorded in the districts of North Saxony, Leipzig, Saxon Switzerland and the city of Leipzig.
The protective measures are intended to prevent birds in flocks in stables and other human care from being infected with the pathogen by wild birds.
The H5N8 virus first appeared in poultry flocks in South Korea at the beginning of 2014. Human infections have not yet been detected worldwide.