At present, the Department has a collection of some 1,300 birds at four aviaries at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Hong Kong Park, Kowloon Park and Yuen Long Park.

The Department has been keeping close watch on the health conditions of its bird collections. In response to the potential threat of avian flu, the Department has taken the following precautionary measures:

• The Department's veterinarian closely monitors the health of the bird collections. Other precautionary measures taken to ensure health condition of the bird collections include increasing the frequency of testing faeces of birds, cleansing of bird cages and suspending the acquisition of birds.
  
  
• Presently, except some waterfowls being kept at Kowloon Park, all birds kept at the Department's four aviaries are completely screened off from contact with wild birds. In addition, action is in hand to provide covers and/or temporary sheds to screen off the waterfowls completely within a short time should there be an imminent need.
  
  
• Drill programmes on closing the aviaries are regularly conducted to enhance operational preparedness.