ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A dozen of the iconic swans that live in the heart of downtown Orlando, Florida, have died in recent days from an unknown cause, leading officials to suspect that bird flu is to blame.
The deaths of the swans at Lake Eola don’t appear to be suspicious, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said Monday on social media.
Approximately five dozen swans lived at the park before the recent deaths. The last bird flu outbreak in the park was in February 2024.
Due to the timing of the deaths occurring during the holiday season, the city’s specialized veterinarians were not available for immediate evaluations. The deceased swans are being stored in a secure location for necropsies to be performed, aiding in the determination of their cause of death, according to Commissioner Sheehan.
“We can’t be certain until tests are completed,” Sheehan stated.
The swans have been a part of Lake Eola for more than a century and are considered symbols of the central Florida city. Their presence is celebrated through paintings on a number of street murals around the city, and visitors to the park can even rent swan-shaped pedal boats.
The deaths of the swans at Lake Eola don’t appear to be suspicious, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said Monday on social media.
Approximately five dozen swans lived at the park before the recent deaths. The last bird flu outbreak in the park was in February 2024.
Due to the timing of the deaths occurring during the holiday season, the city’s specialized veterinarians were not available for immediate evaluations. The deceased swans are being stored in a secure location for necropsies to be performed, aiding in the determination of their cause of death, according to Commissioner Sheehan.
“We can’t be certain until tests are completed,” Sheehan stated.
The swans have been a part of Lake Eola for more than a century and are considered symbols of the central Florida city. Their presence is celebrated through paintings on a number of street murals around the city, and visitors to the park can even rent swan-shaped pedal boats.
