ORLANDO, Fla. — Avian flu has been blamed for the deaths of 32 birds at Lake Eola Park since Dec. 17, including 26 of the city’s signature swans.

All of the dead swans are Royal Mute swans, and 23 of the 26 belonged to the city. Three others were wild swans who apparently joined the flock at the park.

“It’s heartbreaking, the swan is a symbol of our city,” Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a Monday interview. “We don’t really have a way to protect the swans from the avian flu at this point.”

A city spokesperson said there are now 46 living swans remaining at the park. Populations had reached as high as 80 in recent years.

The city’s veterinarian and an independent epidemiologist from the University of Florida told the Orlando Sentinel last week that the virus was likely introduced to the park by wild migratory birds. The city’s signature park is a popular resting place for birds migrating along the east coast.

The virus was first introduced into the U.S. in 2022. There are currently outbreaks in several states, typically at poultry farms or similar sites.

In Orange County, data shows about 53 infections have been reported over three years, with most coming from a 2022 die off of vultures.

A smaller 2024 outbreak at Lake Eola Park, which killed 15 swans, was also included in the data.

“This is nothing that we caused,” City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said. “It’s happening to us,”

The smaller 2024 took about a month to end. Dyer said once the virus dissipates this time, the city will discuss replenishing the flock.

“We’re doing everything we can for the swans, but it’s going to have to run its course,” he said.

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