Bruges shelters canal swans from bird flu outbreak

France, Netherlands and Denmark have already begun chicken culls after cases of the virus

Published: November 20, 2020 12:58 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

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The medieval Belgian city of Bruges has rounded up dozens of the swans that glide through its picturesque canals to shelter them from the spread of bird flu. Image Credit: AFP

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France, the Netherlands and Denmark have already begun chicken culls after cases of the virus, and Belgium has detected an outbreak among wild birds. Image Credit: AFP

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Protective measures have been taken in poultry farms, but the situation is more complicated in Bruges, where the swans are usually free to roam. Image Credit: AFP

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"All the swans have to be taken, and it is not so easy to take them." mayor Dirk De fauw told AFP. Image Credit: AFP

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A municipal worker capture a swan in Bruges during an operation to attempt to catch over a hundred, as special security measures are required to prevent wild birds from being in contact with the swan population of the city, following the discovery of bird flu in three wild birds in Ostend. Image Credit: AFP

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Due to the discovery of bird flu in three wild birds in Ostend, special security measures are required to prevent wild birds getting in contact with the swan population in the city of Bruges. Image Credit: AFP

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"We have to take the swans out of the free spaces of the city and keep them safe in a place where they can hide from birds coming from everywhere and birds who are sick." Image Credit: AFP

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A municipal worker releases a swan in an aviary in Bruges. Image Credit: AFP

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A municipal worker releases a swan in an aviary in Bruges during an operation to attempt to catch over a hundred, as special security measures are required to prevent wild birds from being in contact with the swan population of the city. Image Credit: AFP

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The city prepared for the operation by halting feeding the swans for five days. Image Credit: AFP

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When grain was finally produced, municipal workers pounced and bagged the birds for transport to a protected reserve. Image Credit: AFP

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A municipal worker captures a swan in Bruges. Image Credit: AFP

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Workers catch a swan. Image Credit: AFP

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The swans were kept in an aviary to prevent wild birds from being in contact with the swan population of the city. Image Credit: AFP

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