ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 The city of Orlando will begin rehoming its resident Lake Eola swans as the city prepares for a massive renovation plan around the lake.<\/p>\n
The deaths of dozens of swans and other birds from avian influenza earlier this year also influenced the decision.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s announcement on Friday said officials went through a review with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission of the care and management of the flock.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this review, it became clear that consistently meeting those requirements within an active urban park, especially one preparing for major construction, will be increasingly difficult,\u201d the announcement read.<\/p>\n
[WATCH: Orlando considers Lake Eola Park renovation (from 2025)]<\/p>\n
The city says it is pausing the program in advance of the master plan renovations. The city is going to start by rehoming this year\u2019s cygnets, their parents, and any eggs and currently nesting parents.<\/p>\n
\u201cRelocating them now will reduce stress and risk during this extended period of construction activity in the park and will help ensure their ongoing care in environments that can fully meet required standards,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
City officials say that wild swans and other waterfowl may still be seen around Lake Eola, because the birds are free-ranging and not part of the captive flock.<\/p>\n
[WATCH: Internal emails reveal Orlando\u2019s behind-the-scenes handling of Lake Eola swan flu outbreak]<\/p>\n