What Fresno Chaffee Zoo is doing to protect lions, tigers, and others ‘vulnerable’ to Avian flu

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Avian flu remains top of mind for the animal care staff at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. There, multiple exhibits that visitors could walk through, including the “Tropical Rainforest” and “Australasian Birds” exhibits, are closed until further notice.

It’s one piece of a puzzle to ensure birds aren’t endangered.

“We’re monitoring them really closely for symptoms and the symptoms can include anything from sudden death to no obvious clinical signs,” said Dr. Audrey Siegrist, the director of veterinary services at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

Dr. Siegrist shares that those varying symptoms mean they have to keep an open mind about any ill bird, as almost any could potentially have the virus.

When people hear Avian flu, they might just think of birds, but according to Dr. Siegrist, it can affect many other animals you would never think of.

“It’s now mutated so it affects our other species as well, especially cats. In fact, our big cats and cheetahs are really vulnerable to it. They can get severe and rapid disease,” she said.

Unfortunately, she says that includes their two young lion cubs, Asali and Taraj, who they have opted to keep off exhibit for now with their mother Zamaya. On their “African Savanna,” she says even animals like giraffes are susceptible to contracting the bird flu.

While the zoo has seen waves of the virus in the past, this time it’s sticking around longer than anticipated. This latest strain hit in 2022.

“Usually through the migratory season it kind of sputters out and isn’t as much of a problem. But now, we have factors where it really hangs out and it may or may not completely go away.”

Dr. Siegrist says the disease can be transmitted simply by stepping in infected bird droppings. It’s one of many reasons they continue to add simple but necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.

“We’re doing a lot of foot baths, we’re doing a lot of discontinuing a lot of people coming in and out of the more vulnerable places,” she said. “We’re trying to modify the experience here for our guests, so our animals can be safe and so our staff can be safe, too.”

While the hope is the precautions can end soon, Dr. Siegrist says there is no timeline on that for now. However, she says it’s still more than fine to come out and see your favorite animals. It just may be from a different angle or distance.