FOTA WILDLIFE PARK in Co Cork is to reopen later this month, after an outbreak of avian influenza shut the attraction down.

Every one of its birds has been tested twice for the virus and all test results were negative.

The park has been closed to the public since 14 October after the disease, commonly known as bird flu, was discovered.

It had originally been due to close for several days, but it was extended to 10 weeks as staff tried to stop the spread.

The park will reopen on 20 December, following its implementation of comprehensive biosecurity protocols and disease control measures.

Aileen Tennant, the park’s director, thanks the expert team at the Department of Agriculture who helped manage the outbreak, alongside the park’s team

“Their dedication and commitment to animal care and conservation work has been continuing diligently while we have been closed,” she said.

Tennant said last month that being closed for multiple weeks could mean monthly revenue losses of approximately €320,000, with further financial impacts being felt from the loss of annual passes, retail sales, gift vouchers and onsite catering.

She’s asking the public to continue to support the park when it reopens.

“Please consider donating, purchasing gift vouchers, sponsoring an animal, or pre-booking your online tickets today.

“This support will ensure we have the resources to help us maintain world-class care standards and to continue our critical conservation work for years to come.

“The support from our annual pass holders, stakeholders and the public has been overwhelming, and we’re deeply grateful for that support”.

The park is located on 100 acres at Fota Island, around 10 kilometres east of Cork City, and is home to 21 species of captive birds and over 100 species of animals – 75 of these animal species are at risk of extinction.

In November, the park confirmed that 12 cases of bird flu have been identified since the outbreak began.

As a result, 73 birds were euthanised, which the park said was the “only option”.

The containment strategy also included isolating the bird species from the wild population and the construction of temporary aviaries to house birds.

Some 83 birds were temporarily housed separately. They were also vaccinated against the virus.