Avian influenza (bird flu) is a notifiable animal disease mainly affecting birds, but it can also affect humans and other mammals. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency have confirmed the presence of Avian influenza (bird flu) in Redbridge. As a result, we have sadly lost a number of birds in our parks.

We appreciate this will be deeply upsetting to people who visit our parks. With that in mind, we are patrolling daily and checking in on the birds, while we have also erected signs in all of our parks.

To help us protect wildlife in our Parks and Open Spaces, please adhere to following local government guidelines to risk spreading bird flu when visiting our parks:

• Keep to the footpath
• Keep dogs on leads
• Do not feed wild waterfowl
• Do not pick up or touch dead or sick wild birds
• Do not touch wild bird feathers or surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings
• If you keep poultry or other birds, wash your hands and clean and disinfect your footwear before tending to your birds

Reporting dead wild birds in Redbridge Parks and Open spaces

You should call the Defra helpline (03459 33 55 77) if you find:

• one or more dead bird of prey or owl
• 3 or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese and ducks)
• 5 or more dead birds of any species
• Do not touch or pick up any dead or visibly sick birds that you find.

You can also report issues to parks.enquiries@visionrcl.org.uk

For further information or guidance please visit GOV UK website.