Over twenty of Queen Elizabeth II’s swans from her Windsor flock have passed away, believed to have succumbed to the bird flu outbreak sweeping the area.
Scientists from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are currently investigating the suspected case of ‘H5N6 avian influenza’, according to reports.
David Barber, the Queen’s official Swan Marker, said in a statement: ‘Over 20 swans have died now and there’s a lot which are seriously ill which will die — well over 20 more.’
‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of these swans,’ Barber continued. ‘We’re waiting to hear from Defra, but yes it is bird flu. I’m sure the Queen would be concerned. You cannot do anything about it. It will burn itself out. They’re wild birds and it is spread by wild birds and we’ve been very unlucky.’
Defra confirmed that seven of those swans that had died are being tested for bird flu.
The outbreak at Windsor is also troublesome to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are due to tie the knot at that location on May 19.
According to Defra, a cull of the flock will only occur if the bird is involved in food production.
‘There’d only be a cull if it’s a bird involved in the food chain, poultry for example,’ the agency said in a statement.
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