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‘Wings from Down Under’ Reopens
LANSING, MI — Potter Park Zoo’s popular new exhibit, Wings from Down Under, reopened with a clean bill of health from zoo veterinarians.
The popular exhibit has been closed since June 25, 2009, when several birds became ill and later died due to a disease called psittacosis, which is also known as parrot fever or ornithosis.
“To ensure the safety of our visitors, we immediately closed the exhibit to determine the cause of death,” said Dr. Tara Harrison, zoo veterinarian and animal curator. “Once a diagnosis had been reached all of the birds immediately began receiving treatment.”
As an added safeguard, the zoo began a daily exhibit cleaning regime designed to kill any remaining bacteria. In addition, all of the old vegetation and bird perches have been replaced to ensure that no birds could be re-infected.
Recent tests of the exhibit prove it to be free of bacteria and any remaining threat to the birds and the public. The State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Department of Community Health Veterinarians have reviewed all of the tests and approved the exhibit’s reopening.
As a precautionary measure, all birds will continue to receive the medicated diet and will be closely monitored by zoo staff throughout the summer, explained Dr. Harrison.
The Wings from Down Under exhibit has been extremely popular with zoo guests since it opened in May. The 1,080-square-foot facility is home to more than 400 Australian birds made up of Grass Parakeets, Cockatiels and Eastern Rosellas.
The free-flight, interactive aviary provides an incredible hands-on opportunity for zoo guests to learn about and develop a deep appreciation for some amazing Australian creatures. The exhibit is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Potter Park Zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. within Potter Park along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, Michigan. The zoo is open daily year-round, winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (517) 483-4222 or visit www.potterparkzoo.org.
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