Mouth and Foot Disease: Stricter Security Measures at Salzburg Zoo
The Salzburg Zoo is tightening its security measures in light of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Hungary and Slovakia. Access will only be possible via disinfection mats starting next Friday. In addition, the petting zoo will be closed and the sale of animal feed at the counters will be temporarily suspended, the zoo announced in a press release on Tuesday.
Visitors should definitely observe the feeding and petting ban, and no branches or grass should be offered to the animals. "In our zoo, theoretically, 160 animals could contract foot-and-mouth disease. This includes not only goats, sheep, and pigs but also our alpacas, sable antelopes, Alpine ibexes, or forest reindeer," explained Managing Director Sabine Grebner.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Increased Risk with Easter Travel
Grebner expects that the risk of infection will further increase due to the upcoming Easter holidays because of the higher travel volume. So far, the zoo has mainly increased its internal hygiene measures: No one was recently allowed to approach the animals in street clothes, and keepers had to change their clothing. How long the current measures will remain in place is not yet foreseeable, according to Grebner.
Since dogs are also allowed in the Salzburg Zoo, suitable paw cleaning agents are available. The family event on Easter Sunday will also take place as planned.
(APA/Red)
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