After a three-month closure, we are excited to share the news that Pets Corner will be back open to the public daily 10.00-16.00 from Saturday 23 April.
To continue to keep our animals and keepers safe and healthy, a number of our birds, including the ducks, chickens and turkeys, are being kept indoors to prevent the risk of any cases on our site. They will continue to receive all our love and attention, although they will miss your visits. The rest of Pets Corner will be open as usual, and our furry and feathered friends can’t wait to welcome visitors back.
In January a confirmed case of Avian Flu in Byker led to a number of restrictions being put in place in the immediate area. While there have been no suspected cases at Pets Corner, the site is within a 3km radius of the confirmed case which meant that we had to close Pets Corner as a preventative measure.
The restrictions for the case in Byker have now been lifted, however a 10km surveillance zone is still in place in Newcastle. This means that, while Pets Corner can reopen, there is a continued need to be vigilant and aware of the risks and procedures to follow in case affected birds are found within our parks.
If you find a dead or visibly sick bird you are advised not to touch it or pick it up, and to report the case immediately to the DEFRA helpline (03459 33 55 77), with details of location and any images if possible.
Please note: DEFRA will not take reports from third parties so you must contact them directly before reporting any sightings to us.
The prevention zone will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of our work to monitor the threat of bird flu. You can keep up to date with the latest outbreak assessments, and find advice on what steps you need to take if you keep birds, on the government website.