Cork's Fota seeks funding to meet €120k weekly costs after bird flu forces closure

Fota Wildlife Park is seeking financial support as it is struggling to cover its €120,000 weekly costs while closed to the public due to a bird flu outbreak.

The wildlife park, which closed on October 14 and is set to remain closed for a number of weeks, made the “incredibly difficult decision” to euthanise some of its geese following 11 confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu.

“Being closed to the public is having a significant financial impact on Fota Wildlife Park,” a spokesperson for the park told The Echo. 

“The costs of maintaining world-class animal care, particularly through the winter period, when heating and specialised nutrition needs increase, are considerable.

“Our operational costs amount to approximately €120,000 per week. 

"We are actively exploring a number of potential support options to help ensure our significant work in expert animal care and conservation programmes continues.”

Cork Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has called on the Government to provide emergency financial assistance.

“Fota Wildlife Park is one of Ireland’s most important conservation and tourism assets,” said Mr O’Flynn. 

“It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, supports jobs across the region, and delivers vital education and biodiversity work.

“When a facility like Fota is forced to close by Government-mandated biosecurity measures, it should not be left to bear the financial burden alone. There must be an emergency support mechanism to keep staff employed and ensure animal welfare remains fully resourced.”

He added that he has submitted parliamentary questions to Government ministers seeking clarity on what supports are being made available to the park.

“The people of Cork are deeply proud of Fota. The State must step up to protect it,” he said.