Several swans have died at a Scots beauty spot from bird flu as the public have been urged not to feed the birds to prevent further deaths.
The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust reported several swans had “succumbed to the disease” on January 7 at Loch Birnie and Gaddon in the region.
Following the outbreak they have asked locals not to feed them as it encourages them to gather in groups and to keep all dogs on leads.
The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust made a plea to the public and said: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (bird flu) has been confirmed at Birnie and Gaddon Lochs, with a number of swans succumbing to the disease.
“Bird flu mostly spreads from bird to bird through direct or indirect contact with infected saliva, nasal secretions, or droppings, as well as through predation/scavenging.
“We would ask that members of the public do not feed the birds on site, as this encourages the birds to congregate together. Please abide by the guidance information provided on this poster.”
It comes weeks after locals in Alloa on the River Forth in Clackmannanshire were shocked by the bizarre phenomena last week. Around 20 headless birds – including gulls, seabirds and waders, are said to have been found strewn across the ground on an industrial estate on Monday, December 30, with the exact reason why they died still a mystery.
The government is currently testing the dead avian creatures for bird flu but results take up to two weeks to come back.
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