ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 The Orlando community is on alert after they learned 12 swans at Lake Eola were found dead.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
The Orlando community is on alert after 12 swans were found dead in Lake Eola
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The deaths took place over the holidays, which meant that a specialist was not available to study the birds
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That investigation is now underway to determine a cause of death
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Orlando officials say that it is still safe to visit the park<\/p>\n
Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said that because the deaths happened over the holidays, officials had not been able to confirm the cause of death, but now they are working to determine what happened.<\/p>\n
For many locals and visitors, the swans swimming at Lake Eola Park are the highlight of downtown Orlando.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are absolutely divine when you\u2019re doing that long walk and a couple of laps around the lake; it\u2019s always nice just to see that beautiful movement of the swans interacting with one another and sometimes the babies,\u201d Orlando resident Jennifer Garnett said.<\/p>\n
But on Dec. 23, two swans were found dead in the park.<\/p>\n
Sheehan said over the past five days that number has grown to a total of 12 dead swans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is likely this could be another avian flu outbreak, although we can\u2019t be certain until tests are completed. We do not believe the deaths are suspicious. The deceased birds will be examined as soon as possible,\u201d Sheehan said.<\/p>\n
The last avian flu outbreak at Lake Eola happened in February 2024, leaving 15 swans dead.<\/p>\n
Sheehan said that this time most of the dead swans were either young or recent additions to the lake\u2019s swan population \u2013 and only the mute swans appeared to be impacted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have trumpeters, woofers, black necks, Australian blacks and Polish mutes. The last avian flu outbreak impacted all of the swans. This time it\u2019s only the mutes,\u201d Sheehan said.<\/p>\n
Sheehan said the swans are being stored in a secure location so necropsies can be performed to determine the cause of death.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Sheehan said that park staff have been cleaning all defecation and sanitizing areas, and feeders have been removed to minimize contact with the birds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it is the avian flu, we will handle it like we did the last situation. We will put up signs. We are already sanitizing out of an abundance of caution, and we\u2019re going to be taking all the safety protocols,\u201d Sheehan said.<\/p>\n
She also reaffirmed that Lake Eola was still safe to visit while the investigation is underway.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is safe to come to Lake Eola Park. If you have concerns again, stay on the walkways. Don\u2019t walk in the areas where the swans are walking. If you get poop on your shoes, clean it off,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
City leaders say if it is determined that this is a case of avian flu, they will install warning signs around Lake Eola asking people to avoid direct contact with the birds, refrain from feeding them, and remove shoes before entering their homes.<\/p>\n