The duck pond in Elche's Municipal Park is now surrounded by protective fencing to prevent avian flu risks. Credit: Alexander Sobol / Shutterstock
In light of increasing international concern over avian flu, Elche City Council has begun reinforcing the well-known duck pond in the Parque Municipal with a series of preventive measures.
Temporary perimeter fencing and a protective overhead net are now being installed around the water, in an effort to block wild birds from entering the space and potentially passing the virus to the resident duck population. The initiative reflects a cautious but proactive approach by the authorities.
José Antonio Román, the Councillor for Environment, stressed that the ducks in the Municipal Park are currently in good health, and that there is no cause for alarm.
Nevertheless, the council believes it is important to reduce risks wherever possible. The temporary fencing has been designed to keep visitors at least three metres away from the pond's edge. This distance not only limits unnecessary disturbance to the animals but also reduces any potential transmission risk between humans, domestic pets and wildlife.
At the same time, installation of the overhead mesh is under way. This netting is intended to prevent wild birds from landing in the pond or interacting with the ducks, a key measure in avoiding contamination from species that may travel long distances and could be exposed to the virus elsewhere.
Alongside the physical measures, Román also issued a reminder to the public: do not feed the ducks. While often well-intentioned, feeding can attract wild birds looking for an easy meal, inadvertently increasing the very risks the council is trying to minimise.
He further encouraged residents who keep domestic birds on private properties to register and microchip them, which improves traceability and strengthens overall biosecurity.
No cases of avian flu have been detected in the Municipal Park, nor in nearby natural environments such as 'El Hondo' or the 'Clot de Galvany'. Even so, the council is still on alert. Should any sick or dead bird be found, rapid testing and containment protocols would be activated immediately.
The council emphasises that these actions are preventive, not reactive, and are meant to reassure rather than worry the community. By implementing sensible precautions now, Elche aims to stay ahead of a potential threat - keeping its green spaces safe and ensuring the park's beloved ducks remain healthy and well-protected.