Zoos SA
Bird flu and what it means for your visit: Learn about the precautionary measures we're taking and what to expect during your visit.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you see sick or injured wildlife, remember: AVOID. RECORD. REPORT.

  • Avoid contact with the animal. Do not attempt to touch it or move it.
  • Record what you’ve seen, including the location, date and time. Take a photo if you can.
  • Report it to the government’s Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

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.

No. To protect the safety and welfare of the animals in our care we have immediately ceased the Free Flight Bird Show, while we assess the evolving situation.

At this stage, no areas of Monarto Safari Park have been closed to visitors.

We have made the decision to immediately close the walk-through aviaries at Adelaide Zoo to the public, as an interim measure as we assess the longer-term measures that we may be able to put in place.

This may change as the situation evolves.

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 HPAI, we have been planning and preparing for this eventuality for several years now.

A number of precautionary and biosecurity measures have been implemented across both sites in order to keep the animals in our care safe. This includes the interim closure of walk-through aviaries to the public as the situation evolves and we assess the longer-term measures that we may be able to put in place.

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.

If you see sick or dead wild birds

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 Department of Primary Industries and Regions

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.

About Zoos SA

Zoos SA is a not-for-profit conservation charity that exists to connect people with nature and save species from extinction. Zoos SA acknowledges the Country on which we stand always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land and we pay our deepest respect and gratitude to Kaurna (Adelaide Zoo) and Ngarrindjeri (Monarto Safari Park) Elders, past, present and emerging. We undertake critical conservation work throughout Australia and acknowledge the traditional custodians of these lands.

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