RapportFondation_2026_V03 Pages LIGHT EN - Flipbook - Page 65
2025 REPORT
BELGIUM
An innovative vaccination campaign
against avian in昀氀uenza
AMOUNT COMMITED TO DATE: WE CONTRIBUTE
THROUGH THE TIME AND COMMITMENT OF OUR TEAMS.
2022 > PRESENT
Pairi Daiza is working in partnership with the Ceva Wildlife Research Fund and Sciensano in the fight against
avian influenza. This outbreak, caused by the H5N1 virus, affects both poultry and wild birds, leading to the culling
of millions of birds and causing large-scale mortality in wild populations. It is present on almost every continent,
particularly in Europe, Asia and the Americas, and to a lesser extent in Africa.
Animal parks are also vulnerable to the spread of avian influenza, as birds living in human care can become
infected through direct or indirect contact with wild birds, such as geese.
Since 2022, this collaboration has led to the implementation of an innovative vaccination programme targeting the
bird species most at risk in the Park, such as Australian pelicans, Wild peacocks and African penguins. In 2025,
the programme continued with a vaccination session in April, followed by a booster campaign in November.
During this campaign, all penguins and pelicans received booster vaccinations, and their immune responses were
monitored using blood samples collected before and after vaccination.
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