A park in Westchester County was shut down after 12 lifeless Canada geese had been discovered within the pond, with officers fearful it might have been a results of chicken flu.
The gate to Caroll Park in Mount Nice was locked Wednesday night time, together with an indication posted telling individuals to remain away. It got here days after the birds had been discovered lifeless on the ice and within the water of the partially frozen pond, a startling website when the police chief noticed it over the weekend.
“I was able to observe it was about a dozen dead Canadian geese on the ice and in the water,” mentioned Mount Nice Police Chief Paul Oliva. “I’m thinking this is definitely uncommon and we should be cautious how we handle this.”
The state’s Division of Environmental Conservation is testing the birds to find out what occurred to them, however there may be deep concern amongst officers. Mount Nice City Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi mentioned it had not but been confirmed whether or not the geese did the truth is have chicken fly, and so they had been awaiting the outcomes.
Avian flu is on the rise across the nation, largely impacting animals. However 66 people contracted within the virus within the U.S. in 2024 and one individual died, based on the New York State Division of Well being. Out of an abundance of warning, officers in Mount Nice have been sending warnings to the general public to steer clear of lifeless birds.
“There’s always a possibility of picking up something. It could be on your shoe, whatever. Especially a dog, I would be concerned of a dog picking up something because of feces from the geese,” mentioned Fulgenzi.
Officers mentioned the geese had been discovered within the pond solely and never in different components of the park, like the kids’s playground. However geese might nonetheless be seen contained in the park Wednesday. A laser system can be set as much as deter geese from coming to the pond, based on officers.
It was not instantly clear how lengthy the park would stay closed. It will rely on the take a look at outcomes and the way in depth the cleanup course of would should be.
