The City of St. John’s has confirmed that the two swans that had been living in Bowring Park have died, and they’re asking the public to refrain from feeding birds at city parks to prevent the spread of avian flu.

The city tells VOCM News that a younger swan appeared to be sick and died quickly earlier this month, while the following week the older swan and seven ducks were found dead in the Duck Pond.

They say it appears as though the birds died of avian flu and the carcasses have been sent away for testing. The city has reported the deaths to officials responsible for tracking, testing and monitoring avian flu.

The city says avian flu spreads faster when birds cluster together, and as a result they’re encouraging visitors to Bowring Park not to feed the birds which causes them to come together.

The city fears that as long as the birds continue to be fed by the public, more bird deaths are likely.

St. John’s has not removed swans from park ponds for a few years as the duck pond provide open water with “ample food and shelter available” and the deaths are not linked to weather conditions.