New Jersey Aviary Closes Permanently, Relocation of 77 Birds to 13 Zoos Scheduled

A permanent closure of the aviary at the New Jersey Zoo has been announced, and 77 birds are now available for adoption at 13 other zoos.

The World of Birds Aviary exhibit at the Cape May County Park and Zoo will permanently close on May 1 and its birds will be sent to other zoos across the nation, officials announced this week.

Relocation of 77 Birds to 13 Zoos

According to zoo veterinarian Alex Ernst, the 77 birds in the aviary are moving to aviaries as close as Bergen County or as far away as California.

The exhibit's closure was announced by officials last month, but no closing date was specified.

According to Ernst, 13 zoos will receive the birds, including those in the Bronx, Philadelphia, San Diego, Washington, D.C., the Bergen County Zoo, and Waco, Texas.

He said that the birds will be transported by ground to nearby and regional zoos. The birds that are being transported across the country, including those that are going to zoos in San Diego and Texas, will be transported by commercial airlines like American Airlines and Delta.

Despite needing special booking procedures and travel crates, animals can fly on the same aircraft as people, according to Ernst.

Some zoos capture birds they require for reproduction or to add to their exhibits.

Every zoo is acquiring birds that suit their needs, claims Ernst. Everyone is cooperating to achieve their goals.

The 52-acre Cape May County Park and Zoo, which is situated in Middle Township, has been named one of the top parks in the country by NJ Southern Shore. In the park, there were over 550 animals as of 2021. Although there is no entrance fee, the zoo does accept donations.

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Leaving the New Jersey Zoo Aviary: May 1

The aviary's birds will go through routine medical examinations to make sure they are healthy and secure enough to travel before they are shipped out or transported, according to zoo officials.

People who want one last look should go before May 1 because that is the last day the aviary will be open to the public.

Officials from the zoo had previously announced the closure of the aviary on Facebook, citing the need for exterior maintenance.

According to the post, one of the Zoo's oldest attractions has suffered from 25 years of tropical weather, making it impossible to continue with necessary maintenance and repairs.

Ernst noted that not all of the zoo's bird species are departing. The parrots, eagles, toucans, and peacocks that are not housed in an aviary are still present at the zoo.

According to the Press of Atlantic City, the avian exhibit at the Cape May County Zoo was temporarily shut down last year as a precaution due to worries about bird flu.

In recent years, problems have also plagued other neighborhood zoos. Three park zoos in Middlesex County were set to close in 2022, but the avian flu prevented officials from removing animals from the Johnson Park Zoo in Piscataway, NJ.com True Jersey reports.