IN PICTURES: Penguins queue in Paris zoo for their bird flu jabs

"A curious seagull strolled nonchalantly through the penguin enclosure at a zoo in Paris. It looked harmless enough but the seagull could pose an existential threat to the penguins with a devastating bird flu outbreak killing hundreds of millions of birds across the world over the last few years. That is why 41 Humboldt penguins were queued up near their pool in the Paris Zoological Park on a cold December morning at the start of influenza season."

"A zookeeper whispered some reassuring words to one called Cissou as a veterinarian injected him with his annual bird flu vaccine shot. After getting his jab, Cissou waddled off back into his enclosure. Around 10 zoo staff took the chance to weigh and measure the penguins, collecting feathers, taking blood samples, examining their feet and checking their microchips. In a month, the young penguins born this year will get a booster shot."

A seagull entered a Humboldt penguin enclosure in Paris, highlighting the risk of bird flu transmission. Forty-one Humboldt penguins received annual bird flu vaccinations and health checks including weighing, measuring, feather collection, blood sampling, foot examinations and microchip checks. Young penguins born this year will receive booster shots in a month. The Vincennes zoo has never detected bird flu but hosts wild birds that could introduce the virus. French health authorities warned the current season may be severe. Bird flu reached Antarctica last year, raising concerns for vulnerable penguin populations.

Read at The Local France