People have been warned against feeding the birds in Caerphilly after a number have been spotted dead and unwell. Locals reported seeing a number of deceased swans, ducks and geese outside the castle as well as in Morgan Jones Park.
Cadw - the Welsh Government body responsible for the castle - has erected a sign in the area telling the public to stay away from dead or ill birds. It states: "Warning for the prevention of avian flu contamination: Please do not feed the birds or touch any dead animals. Dogs must be kept on leads and away from the water. All dead birds need to be reported to Caerphilly Castle. Thank you for your cooperation."
One local said she counted 15 dead birds in the area on Monday morning. Another described seeing birds that appeared unwell, however the birds' cause of death has not yet been confirmed. Cadw has referred the matter to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
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A spokesman for Cadw said: "We can confirm a number of swans and geese have been found dead in the moat outside the castle. All have been reported to the Defra helpline following official advice. We strongly advise the public not to touch any sick or dead wild birds, and to follow the advice we have provided for visitors to the castle”
DEFRA has been approached for comment.
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