Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is currently sweeping through zoo populations in many parts of the world. Deaths have occurred in zoos in the USA (notably, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle), as well as Vietnam. This virus probably infects zoo animals, when they contact wild birds coming into their enclosures. HPAI is not, however limiting its infections to rare bird species. Already, 3 lions, 47 tigers and a number of Cheetahs have died from this viral infection (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/19/bird-flu-zoos-endangered-animals-captive-species-lions-tigers-cheetahs-virus ). Animals, in cages and enclosures, are essentially 'sitting ducks' so far as HPAI is concerned. These diverse infections may also increase the probability of the virus mutating and acquiring the ability to transmit from human to human. This would be very bad news, as it could trigger a new pandemic for our species.
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