Zoo takes rare animals off display as New Zealand braces for bird flu

Saturday, 4 July 2026

Auckland Zoo’s flamingos are the only ones in Australasia.

Auckland Zoo has moved its flamingos, the only ones in Australasia, off public display while extra protections are installed.

Protective mesh is being fitted to their enclosure to reduce contact with wild birds that could carry H5N1 bird flu.

The zoo says it has been preparing for the “inevitable” arrival of the disease for some time.

Bird flu has now been detected in Australia, although experts say the current risk to the New Zealand public remains low.

Richard Gibson says the greatest risk of Auckland Zoo’s birds contracting avian flu is through close contact with infected wild birds.

Some of Auckland Zoo’s rarest animals have been taken off display as staff try to protect them from the “inevitable” arrival of a killer disease in New Zealand.

The zoo’s approximately 30-strong flock of flamingos, the only ones in Australasia, are being cared for in a non-visitor area while a protective mesh is fitted to their enclosure.

The move aims to “greatly decrease” the likelihood of them coming into direct contact with the H5N1 bird flu virus, most likely via wild birds, says Richard Gibson, the zoo’s head of animal care and conservation.

The disease is highly contagious, and can infect a whole flock of birds within days through direct contact, contaminated water or a single infected bird’s saliva or faecal droppings, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Professor Jemma Geoghegan says New Zealand should protect its wildlife and agricultural sectors from the “truly global disease threat” posed by bird flu.

“The greatest risk of one of the zoo’s birds contracting the disease is through close contact with one or more infected wild birds,” Gibson said.

“Contaminated water could also be a source of infection, which is why we have upgraded all of our water treatment facilities for our aviaries and isolated the flamingo pool from surrounding water bodies.”

The modifications began in early May, before the H5N1 strain was detected in Australia. Since then, there have been multiple confirmed cases of migratory marine birds becoming infected across the Tasman.

“It is concerning that Australia has its first confirmed cases of H5N1,” Gibson said.

Auckland Zoo has already put a net over its kiwi breeding habitat.

“However, we have been aware for some time that its eventual arrival in Aotearoa is inevitable, which is why we have made significant plans in preparation to safeguard the animals in our care and our staff who work with them, and to mitigate any risks to visitors.”

Professor Jemma Geoghegan, an evolutionary virologist at the University of Otago, says the growing proximity of cases highlights the need for vigilance in New Zealand.

“While our geographic isolation has likely delayed its arrival, the virus is now much closer.”

Despite its name, bird flu can infect other species, including mammals (and on rare occasions humans), as seen in sub-Antarctic islands where voyages in October 2025 and January 2026 found more than 13,000 dead elephant seal pups.

Auckland Zoo’s flamboyance of flamingos is due back in their enclosure (pictured before the addition of protective mesh) by the end of July.

But Geoghegan said it was important to note that the risk to the general public in New Zealand remains low.

“The focus should be on preparedness, surveillance and protecting both our wildlife and agricultural sectors from what has become a truly global disease threat.”

The Department of Conservation is to vaccinate some of New Zealand’s most endangered native birds against the virus.

Gibson says Auckland Zoo is ready to protect other species and has already put a net over its kiwi breeding habitat.

All bird aviaries are now supplied with chlorinated water and food waste management has been enhanced to reduce pest bird activity.

The zoo is also prepared to introduce split animal care teams and PPE for staff working closely with birds in the event of an outbreak.

Gibson assured visitors that the mesh being added to the flamingo enclosure will be fine so there is still a full view of the birds.

Although bird flu is highly contagious and the H5N1 strain has a large geographical range, Gibson said many of the zoo’s precautions are routine.

“Staff are feeling confident we have identified the risks and have appropriate mitigations in place for animals and people.

“The investment in the flamingo and kiwi facilities underlines our best practice duty of care.”

The flamboyance of flamingos (and yes, that is the collective noun) is set to return to their upgraded enclosure by the end of July.