Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park remain open.
Zoos SA is closely monitoring the H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) situation following its detection in South Australia on 24 June 2026.
The health and welfare of the animals at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park is always our highest priority. We have comprehensive biosecurity plans in place and are prepared to implement additional protective measures as required.
As a precaution, walk-through aviaries have been temporarily closed and the Adelaide Zoo Free Flight Bird Show has been suspended while we continue to monitor the situation.
Importantly, you can feel confident that visiting Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park is safe.
We are working closely with relevant government departments and wildlife health agencies, following the latest expert advice to help protect the animals in our care.
If you see sick or injured wildlife, remember: AVOID. RECORD. REPORT.
No. If you see sick or injured wildlife, do not attempt to touch or move it, and contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 as soon as possible.
Remember: AVOID. RECORD. REPORT.
Please do not bring sick or injured wildlife to Adelaide Zoo or Monarto Safari Park. We have implemented precautionary and biosecurity measures across both sites in order to keep the animals in our care safe.
Yes. Both Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park remain open to the public.
The safety and welfare of our people and the animals in our care is always our number one priority, and we have precautionary measures in place.
You may notice some changes around our sites as part of these precautions, including the temporary closure of our walk-through aviaries. These measures help reduce the potential risk of transmission between wild birds and the animals in our care by limiting opportunities for contact. They are an important part of protecting the health and welfare of our vulnerable bird species, while also helping to keep visitors safe.
If the H5 Bird Flu situation changes, we will continue to take advice from the relevant government authorities and adjust our response where required.
No. To protect the safety and welfare of the animals in our care we have temporarily ceased the Free Flight Bird Show, while we assess the evolving situation.
Some visitor experiences and areas housing birds have been temporarily changed or paused to reduce potential exposure to H5 Bird Flu.
We have made the decision to temporarily close the walk-through aviaries at Adelaide Zoo to the public, as we assess the longer-term measures that we may be able to put in place.
At this stage, no areas of Monarto Safari Park have been closed to visitors.
This forms part of the precautionary biosecurity measures operating across our sites. We will continue to review these measures as the H5 Bird Flu situation evolves and will resume experiences when it is considered appropriate to do so.
Some species are more susceptible to H5 bird flu than others, and we are doing everything we can to protect them. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work through our prevention and mitigation measures.
As one of the last countries in the world to record a positive case of H5 Bird Flu, we have been planning and preparing for this eventuality for several years now.
A number of precautionary and biosecurity measures have been implemented across Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park in order to keep the animals in our care safe.
Our approach is based on multiple layers of protection designed to reduce the likelihood of animals in our care being exposed to the virus.
Measures include reducing contact between wild birds and birds in our care, protecting feeding stations and water sources, additional bird-proofing and roofing, increased aviary hygiene, and measures to reduce the potential spread of the virus through footwear, uniforms and equipment.
We are also taking precautions around food supplies entering both sites and continue to monitor and adjust our response as the situation develops.
The majority of our animal experiences are still running as usual, however for more susceptible species we have put an immediate hold on the Adelaide Zoo Little Penguin experience, and the Free Flight Bird Show.
The risk to human health is minimal and walking through Adelaide Zoo or Monarto Safari Park is no different to walking through your local neighbourhood park – except with greater biosecurity measures.
The safety and welfare of our people and the animals in our care is always our number one priority, and we have precautionary measures in place.
You may notice some small changes around our sites as part of these precautions. These measures are designed to reduce contact between zoo animals and wild birds, which helps keep both you and these vulnerable species safe.
Visitors should continue to follow any signage and instructions from Zoos SA staff, and avoid touching sick or dead birds.
For the latest public health and government information about H5 Bird Flu, visit birdflu.sa.gov.au
Zoos SA has received approval for its application to vaccinate selected birds at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park.
Vaccination provides another layer of protection alongside the preventative biosecurity measures already in place.
Receiving approval does not mean vaccination will begin immediately. We are continuing to work closely with the State and Federal Governments, the Zoo and Aquarium Association and relevant species management groups to determine the appropriate next steps.
Vaccination is not a silver bullet and does not replace our existing biosecurity measures. Our first priority remains reducing the chance of animals in our care being exposed to the virus in the first place.
Vaccination would provide an additional layer of protection, but it would not replace the preventative measures already operating across Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park.
There is no single measure that can completely remove the risk of H5 Bird Flu. Our approach is therefore based on multiple layers of protection, with preventing exposure remaining the most important defence.
Measures vary depending on the bird and habitat, but include:
Some visitor experiences involving birds, such as walk-through aviaries and Free Flight Bird Show, have also been temporarily changed or paused as an additional precaution.
For the latest information about H5 Bird Flu in South Australia, including advice for the public, wildlife, pets and poultry visit birdflu.sa.gov.au
Zoos SA will continue to provide updates about measures affecting Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park through our website and official channels.
AVOID. RECORD. REPORT.
If you observe sick or dead wild birds, please do not touch or handle them.
Report your observation to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Reports play an important role in supporting surveillance, early detection and response efforts.
For more information please visit birdflu.sa.gov.au
At this stage, we can reassure our members, visitors and the wider Zoos SA community that we are taking a proactive and precautionary approach to protecting the birds and other animals in our care. While Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park remain open, you may notice some temporary changes across our sites as we implement additional measures to help keep vulnerable species safe.
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