Heather Keetley
We thank visitors and wider community for support, patience and understanding during suspected outbreak of Avian Flu
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has today thanked visitors to Attenborough Nature Reserve and the wider community for their support, patience and understanding as it deals with a suspected outbreak of Avian Flu at the much loved site.
Since the turn of the year, the UK has been dealing with an unprecedented number of Avian Flu cases - with restrictions affecting domestic birds and worrying reports of impacts on wild birds including sea bird colonies. In recent months there have been several confirmed cases in domestic or commercial poultry locally and a number of parks and nature reserves across Nottinghamshire and neighbouring counties and beyond have sadly experienced outbreaks.
Over the past 10 days the Trust, which cares for more than 40 nature reserves across the county, has been dealing with a suspected outbreak of Avian Flu at Attenborough Nature Reserve off Barton Lane, Chilwell. Staff from the charity’s Nature Recovery (South) team have collected over 150 dead birds so far, though numbers seem to be slowing.
This incident has been traumatic for everyone connected with the reserve.Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Speaking on behalf of the Trust, Head of Communications Erin McDaid said: “This incident has been traumatic for everyone connected with the reserve. Whilst we are still awaiting confirmation from DEFRA that we are dealing with Avian Flu, we are taking the situation extremely seriously. Our team are collecting carcasses and dealing with distressed birds as quickly as possible – but we need people to be aware that there may be some unavoidable delays in responding due to the size of the reserve, the numbers of birds affected and the availability of trained staff and equipment such as boats.”
The Trust has also temporarily fenced off the approach to the Nature Centre, which remains open, as a precaution to discourage bird feeding and limit opportunities for direct contact between birds and people. It is also calling on visitors to help by not feeding the birds, keeping dogs on leads and reporting dead birds directly to DEFRA the helpline.
Visitors can play their part by not touching or feeding the birds, keeping dogs on leads and by washing hands regularly.Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Erin added: “Attenborough is a much loved destination and it has been distressing for many people over the past 10 days, but visitors can play their part by not touching or feeding the birds, keeping dogs on leads and by washing hands regularly- something that has become second nature to us all over the past couple of years.”
The Trust expects to hear the results of tests on sample birds from DEFRA later this week.
Further information can be found at the Trusts Avian Flu update page.