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TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN PAID TO PERKY WHO WOULD "SOON HAVE BEEN FLYING OFF TO MAKE A FAMILY OF HIS OWN" 15:50, 18 Feb 2025Updated 01:25, 19 Feb 2025 Tributes have been paid to a beloved
Liverpool swan who has died from suspected bird flu as the whole of Merseyside is placed into a prevention zone against the disease. Perky, who lived in Sefton Park and had become well
known to locals sadly died over the weekend. A message posted on social media by the Friends of Sefton Park group confirmed the news "with great sadness". The message stated:
"Perky had contracted bird flu over the past week and had slowly deteriorated. He was seen just sleeping by himself on the island while his parents were on the lake feeding. He was
approximately 39 weeks old so had survived the toughest part of his upbringing in an urban park and soon would have been flying off on his own to live and make a family of his own." The
group thanked a local swan expert and volunteers from the WWR Wings, Wildlife and Bird Rescue group for helping Perky and transporting him to a vet. They added: "Unfortunately, he was
not going to make it so had to be put to sleep. One of the WWR team was with him until the end." The friends group claimed there had been further cases of bird flu - or avian influenza
- reported in other Liverpool beauty spots including Greenbank Park and Oglet Shaw. These cases are yet to be officially confirmed. Last week, a case of H5N1 avian flu was confirmed in
Bromborough in Wirral, with other cases spreading around the country. In January, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed that a case of the virus had been located in a human being in the
West Midlands. Liverpool City Council confirmed that Merseyside has now been placed into what is called an Avian Influenze Prevention Zone, which means that all bird owners must keep them
housed and must follow biosecurity measures. Speaking about the death of Perky, a council spokesperson was: "We are saddened to hear about the death of this cygnet in Sefton Park. Any
case of suspected avian flu must be reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and we are investigating to see if this has happened in this case."
Article continues below “Last week, Merseyside was placed in an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, meaning that all bird owners must keep them housed and follow biosecurity measures. “Anyone
who owns birds in Liverpool should familiarise themselves with the government guidance to help prevent further spread. Birds across our parks will be closely monitored during this time. “In
the meantime, people can continue to visit and enjoy our parks. If you do see a dead bird, please do not touch it. Instead, we ask that you report it on
www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds so that it can be investigated."