A BIRDS of prey centre has been forced to temporarily close its doors again until at least the new year, owing to the spread of bird flu.

A spokesperson for the International Centre for Birds of Prey in Newent said on Monday: “ICBP is temporarily closing from December 14 due to the risk of Avian Influenza.

“We do not have any cases of Avian Influenza, however, we feel these steps are necessary to protect our birds.”

The centre only reopened on December 2 following the latest four-week lockdown, and the spokesperson admitted: “This year has been challenging and ICBP has already been closed for the majority of the year due to Covid.

“But the UK is now facing an Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreak and we must take steps to protect our birds.

“Therefore, we have closed the centre, effective from Monday, December 14. We hope to be able to reopen in early 2021 but this decision will be made once more information is available.

“Whilst ICBP does not have any positive cases of Avian Influenza, we feel the risk is too great to remain open as a visitor attraction.

“We will however, continue to run our Owl Evenings unless the situation changes. We feel that we can run these safely with the social distancing and bio-security measures in place.

“If you have booked a December Owl Evening, please refer to your update email for more information.

“If you have booked tickets to visit ICBP this December, your booking will be automatically refunded.

“More information can be found in your update email and you do not need to do anything to receive your refund. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“ICBP is committed to providing a safe environment for our birds and our team will be following all Government and BIAZA advice, in addition to our own bio-security protocols.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time and hope to be able to welcome you back soon.”

Meanwhile, the centre has launched a fundraiser to safely transport 11 vultures, falcons and kestrels from the Forest to a conservation charity in Bulgaria.

The birds are being sent to the Green Balkans charity, to help its breeding and release programmes, and an online fund set up last week has so far raised £3,000 towards the £5,000 target.

Appealing for help, centre founder Jemima Parry-Jones said: “As a conservation charity, we work to protect birds of prey around the world.

“This year, we are contributing to breeding and release programmes in Bulgaria, and we’re sending 11 birds to the conservation charity Green Balkans, in Bulgaria, but we need your help to get there!

“After a year of floods and COVID closures, we’re pleased to be able to contribute to the conservation of Europe’s birds of prey.

“Our Eurasian griffon vultures will be joining a release programme to become part of Europe’s wild population and our Egyptian vultures, lesser kestrels and saker falcon will become part of their breeding and release programmes for future projects.

“We’re hoping to raise some of the £5,000 required to complete this project and appreciate everything and anything you can do to help!

She said the ICBP was “delighted” that some of its birds would “one day be living wild in Europe”.

Five lesser kestrels, three griffon vultures, two Egyptian vultures and a saker falcon are due to leave the bird sanctuary in the coming weeks on the two-day overland journey.

The three griffon vultures, named Delectable, Delicious and Wee Vulture, will join the release programme and eventually become part of the wild population in Bulgaria.

The saker falcon, lesser kestrels and Egyptian vultures are joining a breeding programmes, with their future offspring being transferred to release programmes.

Go to www.icbp.org/get-to-bulgaria to support the fundraiser.