Statement on Bird Flu Concerns

Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which operates Singapore Zoo, Jurong BirdPark and Night Safari, works closely with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on the precautionary measures against bird flu. Our visitors and employees’ safety is of paramount importance to us and we will do all that is necessary to ensure their well-being.

More stringent bio-security measures were implemented at the parks since August last year. All birds that are exposed to the public are vaccinated against bird flu. Disinfectant foot dips are provided for keepers and disinfectant mats for visitors entering walk-in exhibits. Staff are trained to monitor the birds daily for symptoms of illness and unusual trends in bird deaths are reported. Additionally, at Jurong BirdPark where the bird population is much higher, sentinel chickens provided by AVA are strategically placed around the parks to monitor and detect for the presence of any diseases. Our staff themselves are given flu injections.

To date, there have been no known cases of bird flu in any of the parks, or in the country for that matter. AVA is doing an excellent job to keep the disease out of Singapore. In fact, an international advisory panel who had visited Jurong BirdPark in July this year had praised Singapore’s bio-security standards as “up there with the best” and given the assurance that the chances of bird flu occurring here are very low, given AVA’s stringent safety standards.

We have various levels of preparedness and response and together with the AVA, we will continue to monitor the situation in the region and if need be, activate our emergency plan accordingly.


Dr Ho Yew Kee, Executive Director, Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

September 19, 2005