Firefighters called to Sale Water Park during bird flu investigation
Firefighters were called to Sale Water Park to help recover two swans suspected of carrying bird flu.
Image submitted by Keith Jackson
Crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) attended shortly before midday on Saturday (25 October) to support the RSPCA.
According to GMFRS, the swans had become trapped in shallow, muddy water and were thought to be infected with bird flu. After being rescued with the help of an RSPCA raft, the birds were sadly put down at the scene.
The incident comes amid an ongoing investigation into a potential bird flu outbreak at Sale Water Park, where several birds have died in recent days.
Image submitted by Keith Jackson
A GMFRS spokesperson said: “Just before 12pm this afternoon, firefighters were called to assist the RSPCA at an incident in Sale Water Park in Trafford. Two swans had become stuck in shallow, muddy water and were believed to be carrying bird flu. The RSPCA used their raft to retrieve the birds with assistance from fire service personnel. The swans were humanely euthanised at the scene by the RSPCA. Crews were at the scene for around 45 minutes.”
Trafford Council confirmed on Friday that several dead birds had been discovered at the water park this week. These are being tested for bird flu, although the cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
The authority noted that bird flu is common at this time of year, as wild birds migrating from Europe and Asia can carry the virus.
A Trafford Council spokesperson said on Friday: “Bird flu has been detected in a number of wild birds across Great Britain, including the North West of England. This is normal for this time of year as wild birds carry the disease when migrating to the UK from Europe and Asia.
“Over the last three days, several birds have died at Sale Water Park and are being tested for bird flu. Wild birds are susceptible to a range of diseases and injuries, and not all dead birds will have been infected with bird flu.
“The risk to the general public’s health is very low, but we are urging people to be vigilant when enjoying the water park. At this moment, we are asking members of the public not to feed birds directly from their hands and for dog owners to keep their pets on a lead and out of the water.”
Anyone who finds a dead wild bird is advised not to touch it, but instead to report it via the Government’s website.
