Officials suspect bird flu after 12 swans die at Orlando’s Lake Eola
ORLANDO, Florida — A dozen iconic swans that live in the heart of downtown Orlando, Florida, have died in recent days from an unknown cause, leading authorities to suspect bird flu as the cause.
The swan deaths at Lake Eola do not appear suspicious, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said Monday on social media.
About five dozen swans lived in the park before the recent deaths. The last outbreak of bird flu in the park dates back to February 2024.
As the deaths occurred during the festive period, specialist veterinarians in the city were not available to make an immediate assessment. The dead swans were stored in a secure place so that autopsies could be carried out and the cause of death determined, the municipal commissioner said.
“We can’t be sure until the testing is complete,” Sheehan said.
Swans have been present at Lake Eola for more than a century and are symbols of the central Florida city. They have been painted on murals at intersections around the city, and visitors can rent swan-shaped pedal boats in the park.
