A pair of swans, who have been cherished inhabitants of Lincoln’s Brayford Pool for almost ten years, have tragically fallen victim to bird flu, confirmed specialists from the University of Lincoln. The Lincoln Swan Project, a collaboration between Dr Laetitia Marechal from the University of Lincoln and Dr Jenny Dunne from Keele University, links the deaths of the swans and a cygnet to the HPAI H5N1 strain of avian influenza. This signals the premiere instance of this highly infectious disease in Lincoln’s swan community, for which no treatment is currently at disposal.
Scientists are scrutinising the situation closely and have suggested to the public to refrain from physical contact or feeding of the swans to halt additional transmission. Dr Marechal spoke to the profound influence of their loss, stating, ‘These swans were a true symbol of the Brayford Pool area.’ Over 300 swans are being tracked by the team, with the community submitting sightings through a mobile application.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency has conceded to several instances of wildlife fatalities in the Lincoln vicinity, ascertaining that a couple of mute swans retrieved from Brayford Pool in November were confirmed to be virus positive. Officials persist in cautioning inhabitants against interaction with wild avifauna to contain the spread of the disease.
This report has been adapted from the original story by www.bbc.com, by The Lincoln Post contributors.
