More than 30 swans have been found dead across waterways in London’s Docklands, raising fears of a potential outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza among wild birds.
The carcasses were recovered over the past week from West India Dock and Millwall Dock, areas close to the capital’s financial district at Canary Wharf. Wildlife officials say the speed and scale of the deaths have caused serious concern.
The Canal & River Trust confirmed that specialist contractors have collected at least 30 dead birds, all identified as swans, while laboratory tests are underway to determine the precise cause.
Ecologist Ben Macmillan said the organization is working closely with health authorities to monitor the situation and reduce further risk. He urged the public to avoid touching or approaching any dead or visibly sick birds.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency has issued a similar warning, advising residents not to handle birds and to wash their hands thoroughly if they come into contact with wildlife. Officials stressed that surveillance measures are ongoing.
While avian flu primarily affects birds, the illness can rarely infect humans through close contact. According to the NHS, such cases remain extremely uncommon in the UK, though precautions are still recommended.
Volunteers from The Swan Sanctuary have assisted with the grim task of removing the bodies from the water. For many, the losses have been emotionally draining.
Andy Miller, one of the charity’s volunteers, described the situation as “pretty awful,” saying the number of birds dying in such a short time has left rescuers feeling helpless.
“There was a wave of bird flu a couple of years ago, but it wasn’t anything like this,” Miller said. “This strain seems very lethal and infectious, especially for the young swans born earlier this spring.”
Experts believe the current outbreak may involve a highly pathogenic strain that spreads quickly between birds sharing the same water and feeding grounds. Close proximity increases the risk of contamination through droppings or feathers.
The affected areas sit along the River Thames and its connected dock systems, where birds often congregate in large numbers. Such conditions can accelerate transmission.
Identifying infected birds before death can be difficult. According to volunteers, lethargy is the most common symptom. Some swans have also shown tremors, disorientation, or unusual circular movements before collapsing.
Officials are asking the public not to feed birds by hand, warning that close contact may contribute to the spread of the virus. Feeding can also cause birds to cluster together, heightening infection risks.
The government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, known as Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has urged residents to report sightings of dead birds through its helpline or online system. These reports help authorities track the outbreak’s extent.
According to the RSPB, avian influenza has affected wild bird populations across Britain since 2021, with periodic surges leading to significant mortality among seabirds, waterfowl and swans.
The virus was first detected in intensive poultry farming in Asia in the 1990s before spreading globally via migratory birds. Most strains cause mild illness, but highly pathogenic variants can result in rapid death rates.
Authorities are particularly concerned about potential transmission to captive birds or poultry, which can occur through contaminated footwear, equipment or contact with infected wild birds.
For now, surveillance teams continue to collect samples and monitor additional reports in and around Docklands. Test results are expected in the coming days.
Until then, conservation groups say public cooperation remains vital. “We can’t stop nature entirely,” Miller said, “but we can at least reduce the risk and help researchers understand what’s happening.”
As the investigation continues, the quiet waterways of Docklands have become a somber scene, marked by the loss of birds that once symbolized calm and grace along the capital’s urban shoreline.
