RICHMOND, Va. – Two cranes died of bird flu at the Metro Richmond Zoo, marking the first positive test in the zoo’s 30-year history, according to zoo officials.
In a statement, the zoo announced that a deceased crane tested positive at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) laboratory on Jan. 16 and said another crane presumptively tested positive. The bird flu, also referred to as avian influenza, is widespread in native, wild birds and is said to have resulted in the deaths of millions of wild and domestic birds worldwide over the last two years, in addition to other animals. It has caused outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with nearly 70 confirmed total reported human cases in the U.S. since 2024, according to the CDC.
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Metro Richmond Zoo stated that the affected birds were not housed in any of its aviaries, where visitors share a common space with birds. Out of an abundance of caution, they will temporarily close the budgie exhibit and walk-through bird aviary, but the zoo will remain open to the public and zoo leaders say the public’s current risk of bird flu remains low.
“The zoo is saddened by the loss of the cranes and our thoughts are with the zookeepers who cared for them,” the zoo said in a statement. “Our animal care team remains committed to providing the best care for our animals. We are taking precautions to keep our animals, staff, and guests safe and healthy.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Department of Health are working with the zoo to evaluate the need for additional testing and monitor the health of other animals as well as zoo staff who had close contact with the infected birds.
“The bird flu is widespread in native, wild birds worldwide and can spread to domestic birds and other animals in human care,” the zoo said. “The current public health risk in the United States is low for H5 bird flu. Currently, there are no reports of H5 bird flu infections in people in Virginia.”
Zoo officials believe the cranes contracted the virus from other wild birds who may have been in contact with them.