PENGUINS and other rare birds at Edinburgh Zoo could be given flu jabs to protect them from the bird flu outbreak, staff confirmed yesterday.
Strict biosecurity measures have already been put in place to protect the zoo's collection of 300 birds, which include species which are otherwise extinct in the wild.
More than 150 penguins, rare Socorro doves and cassowary or Himalayan monal ar
e some of the species closely monitored by vets as part of the zoo's contingency plans.
Iain Valentine, of the zoo, said: "It is important not to panic. In the event of a serious outbreak, we are confident the contingency plans we have are thorough and effective.
"When necessary, we would hope to be given the permission to vaccinate our birds, as about 90 per cent of our bird collection is rare or endangered in the wild and with some species, like our Socorro doves, extinct in the wild."
While rare wild birds can carry the H5N1 virus, they usually do not get sick - the risk being higher with domesticated poultry including chickens, ducks and turkeys.
Mr Valentine said contingency plans had been put in place a few months ago, but refused to indicate what these consisted of.
He added: "We have strict husbandry guidelines within the bird section at all times, and keepers are particularly alert at this time to any possible changes of behaviour within species under their care."
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland boasts a large variety of bird species within its collection at Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.
A spokeswoman for the zoo said in-house vets were working with animal health officials at the Scottish Executive.
The full article contains 297 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
