'No plans to cull birds' at Stanley Park after bird flu outbreak kills nine swans and entire lake is cordoned off

Nine swans living on the lake at the 260 acre site have died because of the disease, it was confirmed last week, while 10 also died on a canal in Ulverston near the Lake District.

While the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) said bird flu poses little risk to public health, with this particular strain - H5N5 - not affecting food safety, all 10,500 birds at an affected turkey fattening site in North Allerton, Yorkshire, will be killed to limit the spread of the disease.

But a spokeswoman for Blackpool Council said of Stanley Park: "Defra has not advised that any cull will be taking place."

The first dead swan was found there on Sunday, November 15, with Defra and the animal charity RSPCA informed that day.

While the park is still open to the public, the lake has been cordoned off.

Wild dead or dying birds should not be touched but should be reported to Defra by calling 03459 33 55 77.

Bird flu outbreaks amongst swans and geese have also been noted in the Netherlands and northern Germany in recent weeks, having travelled from breeding grounds in western Russia, where the H5N5 strain was reported in poultry last month.

The council's environmental services boss, John Blackledge, said: "The welfare and care of all the birds at Stanley Park lake is of paramount importance to us.

"The lake and the wildlife at Stanley Park is a huge part of our award-winning park and one of the many reasons why it is so well loved by locals and visitors alike.

“I am deeply saddened that so many of our beautiful swans have died and I know many local people will be too.

“We are working closely with the RSPCA and Defra to ensure all appropriate measures are put in place and I want to thank all the officers involved for acting so quickly and reporting this to the relevant authorities."

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