Enlarge image
A lonely sea lion in front of empty spectator seats in the Berlin Zoo (symbol image)
Photo: CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The Berlin Zoo was cleared on Friday afternoon.
According to a nurse, the reason is a case of bird flu, as reported by a dpa reporter.
It is unclear when the zoo can reopen.
Initially, no one could be reached in the press office for comment.
No information about the extent
The "Tagesspiegel" had previously reported on the closure.
Accordingly, the press spokeswoman confirmed that the reason for the measure was avian influenza.
It is still unclear whether animals are already infected or sick, it said.
According to the "Tagesspiegel", the spokeswoman did not want to give any information about the extent of the problem.
Worst bird flu epidemic ever recorded
According to the EU health authority ECDC, Europe is currently experiencing the worst bird flu epidemic ever recorded.
The agency announced in October that the geographic extent was unique and stretched from Spitsbergen to Portugal and Ukraine.
The bird flu virus currently circulating is relatively harmless to humans.
swe/dpa
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/GLQIPWOC3VBT3BKZRNAZOQJEQU.jpg)
