Business as usual (From Gazette Series)

Business as usual

SLIMBRIDGE'S Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is open for business as usual, despite renewed concerns that Britain is bracing itself for a bird flu pandemic.

Staff at the trust are hoping to welcome throngs of people to the centre this Easter weekend - one of their busiest times of the year - and want to belie fears that visitors could catch the avian flu.

The discovery of a dead swan near Fife in Scotland had raised fears that Britain is on the verge of an outbreak of the deadly HN51 strain of Avian "Bird" Flu.

Experts at the centre - home to thousands of migrating birds - have however moved quickly to ensure visitors and nearby residents that it is monitoring the situation closely.

Neil Woodward, centre manager at Slimbridge, said: "The safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and the wildlife at our centres is of the utmost importance to us and we are constantly reviewing and checking our procedures - we would not be open if our centre was not safe.

"There is no reason why people should avoid visiting areas with wild birds or be fearful of them. It is really encouraging that so many people are here enjoying all that our centre has to offer."

According to staff at the trust visitor numbers have remained healthy since the swan was found last week - a trend they hope to see throughout the Easter period and beyond.

It is conducting a close wild bird surveillance programme and providing expert advice to the government on waterbird migration and ecology.

Dr Ruth Cromie, head of waterbird biology, said: "We should not forget that this disease began in poultry and has now spread to wild birds where the conservation implications are now unfolding.

"The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is well placed to understand these given our history of waterbird monitoring and wildlife health research."

Sarah Standing, 19, who lives in nearby Slimbridge village, said: "My mum's a bit worried about it but I don't think there's a lot we can really do.

"I'm sure the WWT will be taking precautions - it's a worry but we have to take it as it comes."

Slimbridge is open daily (9.30am-5.30pm). On Easter Sunday there will be a birdwatch morning (7.30am) where visitors can join a guided tour of the centre's hides with an expert wardens.

For more information visit www.wwt.org.uk or call 01453 891900.