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"2020 Couldn't Get Much Worse" - Amazon World Temporarily Closes After Ryde Bird Flu Outbreak

Photo from Google Maps.

"2020 could not get much worse" - Amazon World is the latest animal sanctuary to close its doors due to an outbreak of bird flu on the Isle of Wight.

The zoo, which has already been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, has made "the difficult decision" to shut for the rest of the year.

It comes after an outbreak of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) was confirmed at Ryde Canoe Lake yesterday (Wednesday) - just five miles from sanctuary's Arreton site. 

A police cordon was placed around the lake and the public urged to stay away after seven swans died in two weeks.

A spokesperson for Amazon World said:

"This decision has not come easily and we have enjoyed seeing all your friendly faces over the last two weekends however the safety of our Birds is paramount and they will always come first.

"We will now close for the rest of the year and reassess the situation and our finances at the beginning of January.

"We cannot THANK YOU enough for all your support you have shown us over the last 9months since our first closure.

"We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2021 will be a better year for us all."

A Crowdfunder campaign was launched last month (November) to raise funds for Amazon World following its closure during the pandemic.

It has currently raised more than £9,000. 

Haven Falconry has also announced its temporary closure following the outbreak of bird flu, as Isle of Wight Radio exclusively reported yesterday.

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