Overview
- Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan said 12 swans were found dead over the past week after the first two were discovered on Dec. 23.
- Officials suspect avian influenza as the cause but are awaiting laboratory confirmation.
- The deceased swans were moved to a secure facility for necropsies after limited holiday access to specialized veterinarians.
- City crews are sanitizing park areas, have removed feeders, and urge people and pets to avoid contact with birds and droppings, including cleaning shoes if exposure is suspected.
- Before the deaths, Lake Eola’s swan population was estimated at 50–60, and the park saw a confirmed bird flu event in 2024 that killed several swans and other birds.