Two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Andalusia, Spain, were among the areas hit by a bird flu outbreak on Thursday, forcing park closures and culls of infected birds.
Seville’s Maria Luisa Park, a popular tourist attraction and central green space, shut its gates after dead birds were discovered, the city council announced on X. Officials said teams would clear the carcasses and disinfect the grounds. In recent days, the council had already closed three other parks where lifeless birds were found.
The gardens of the Real Alcázar, a medieval royal palace shaped by Islamic and Christian influences, also reported cases. The site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage property, has now come under containment measures.
In Doñana National Park, another UNESCO site known for its wetlands and rich biodiversity, officials confirmed three outbreaks among wild birds. Authorities removed the infected animals, regional environment chief Catalina García said on X.
The regional government added on Tuesday that it had implemented emergency steps to halt the spread, including culling birds on two farms in Huelva province. It declined to specify numbers but stressed that the risk of human infection remained “very low”.