Wild Bird Intake Suspended At Popcorn Park Amid Bird Flu Outbreak

LACEY, NJ — The ongoing threat of the avian flu means that wild birds will no longer be accepted at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, zoo officials said.

"Due to the ongoing threat of avian influenza, Associated Humane Societies & Popcorn Park will no longer be accepting sick or injured wild birds," the refuge said Wednesday. "This decision is necessary to protect the animals in our wildlife refuge, as well as the dogs and cats in our animal shelter, from potential infection."

Dead geese in Monmouth County recently tested positive for the avian flu or bird flu. No cases have been confirmed here in Ocean County, however, there are birds being tested.

If you find a sick or injured wild bird, Popcorn Park shared resources.

For those in Ocean County, contact:
Donald Bonica, Toms River Avian Care
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-255-9270

For those in Burlington County, reach out to:
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
Medford, NJ 08055
856-983-3329

If you find a sick bird anywhere in New Jersey, you can also call the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Hotline at (877) 927-6337 for further guidance.

The bird flu has wreaked havoc on Popcorn Park before. Back in 2022, the popular zoo had to stop offering its beloved namesake popcorn for guests to feed animals, after dozens of birds had to be euthanized to prevent spread of the disease.

The current strain of bird flu, H5N1, also known as avian influenza, is suspected to have caused localized deaths of multiple wild birds, predominantly snow geese and Canada geese, in parts of New Jersey since the end of December, according to the state DEP, which is responsible for tracking the spread in wild birds.

More than 140 sick or dead snow geese and Canada geese (plus lower numbers of raptors and other avian scavengers) have been reported from more than 30 locations throughout the state, according to DEP officials.

Though cases of H5N1 have been reported in animals, there are no reported cases of human infection of H5N1 in New Jersey, the DEP said.

The US Center for Disease Control & Prevention has also declared that the H5N1 outbreak is primarily an animal health issue, and poses a low risk to public health, according to NJ DEP Spokesman Larry Hajna.

Occurrences of avian influenza can be tracked here. For further guidance or information on H5N1, you can click here.

Related

• Dead Geese Prompt Park Closures In Allentown Amid Bird Flu Outbreak
• 25 Dead Geese Found In Monmouth Co., DEP Investigating For Bird Flu
• 6 Dead Geese Found At Hillsborough Pond
• Goose Deaths Prompt Bird Flu Cautions In Ocean County

This article contains additional reporting by Sara Winick.