Edinburgh residents have been warned against feeding wildlife at a historic park after bird flu wiped out more than 15 swans.
Historic Environment Scotland have put signs up at St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park as they link the bird deaths to avian flu and confirm that 20 swans in the area have sadly died.
Visitors have been warned that feeding wildlife could lead to the birds gathering close together - increasing the chances of the deadly virus spreading.
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Residents and visitors in Edinburgh have also been warned to not touch birds or let their dogs near the swans.
Community group, Friends of Water of Leith, said: "Avian flu is hitting the Lothian’s swans badly. Fifteen dead swans in the last couple of weeks at St Margaret’s loch at Holyrood. The main swan flock sites are now half the number they were this time last year due to this and other reasons.
"Please try and keep the Leith swan pairs separate from other incoming swans when feeding them and avoid encouraging the swans to group up and fight unnaturally as they do when fed by people, as it’s close contact between them that can spread the disease. "
The warning sign at the park, by Historic Environment Scotland, warns: "Keep dogs away from sick or dead birds, keep to the footpaths, do not disturb roosting or nesting birds and do not feed the birds birds at this time as gathering birds together in close contact can spread avian flu."
The news comes as tousands of birds were reported to be infected Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at Bass Rock in East Lothian, which was home to one of the world's largest northern gannet colony.
The animals are believed to have eaten dead wild birds that were infected with the virus. Health officials have said the risk to the public is low.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported in December that it had been told by the Apha that 20 mammals had been tested in the UK, of which eight (foxes and otters) were positive for avian flu. This figure has since been updated to nine.
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said: “We can confirm that sadly there has been a series of swan deaths around St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park due to suspected avian influenza, now totalling 20.
“Our Ranger Team are working to remove any dead birds as soon as practicable and have installed signage around the Loch advising visitors to avoid touching any dead or dying birds, and to keep themselves and dogs away from known areas where birds gather.
“We would ask members of the public to please report any dead or dying birds to the Ranger Team on 0131 652 8150 or rangers@hes.scot.”
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