Swans at Orlando's Lake Eola may finally be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, with no new deaths reported in nearly a month following an avian flu outbreak. This news comes as the city takes a hard look at the safety and care of its iconic bird population. The last casualty, a mute swan, was noted on January 21, city spokesperson Ashley Papagni told the Bungalower.
The outbreak, which began just before Christmas, resulted in the deaths of 29 Royal Mute swans – including 25 that were city property, pushing Orlando officials to scrutinize the protective measures in place for these avian denizens. "It was really sad to see a lot of illness, but then it put into question, how safe were the swans being treated?" Commissioner Mayra Uribe reflected in an interview with WESH.
Actions considered by the city include revising the bird-feeding protocol, limiting swan access to certain sections of the park, and potentially updating the seawall's height to address safety concerns. Public feeders have already been removed to hinder interaction between park visitors and the wildlife. Luis Kidder, a regular park visitor, expressed concerns about the impact of such losses on the community to WESH.
Other measures under consideration are improved veterinary oversight and a more structured support system for the swans. Public health worker Sujaya Lobo suggested to WESH the potential for "a program that actually supports their feeding routines, what they need and what they don’t need." Despite the significant toll, city-owned swans now total 44, indicating some resilience among the flock.
The city is also liaising with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to ensure the birds' environment remains secure, as reported by the Bungalower. The situation remains under close watch as the community and city officials look toward recovery and preventing future outbreaks.
