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Louisville Zoo closes several exhibits after wild goose tests positive for bird flu

Incident Date:
10/22/2026
Location:
Louisville, KY - USA
Facility Name:
Louisville Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal health issue (RX)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Birds
Animal disposition:
Other

Summary:

LOUISVILLE, KY – Several bird exhibits at the Louisville Zoo are temporarily closed after a wild Canada goose found sick on zoo grounds tested positive for avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.

The zoo announced the precautionary closures Thursday, Oct. 22, saying confirmatory testing at a federal laboratory is still pending. None of the zoo’s birds are currently showing signs of the disease.

The zoo remains open to visitors, with closures limited to a handful of bird habitats, including:

Forest Bird Trail and African penguin exhibits in the Islands Pavilion
Steller’s Sea Eagle Aviary in Glacier Run
Lorikeet Landing in Australia
Some areas around the zoo’s lake

Zoo officials expect the areas to remain closed for several weeks until the threat has subsided.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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