Parks Closed After Dead Geese Emerge Around Lake In South Jersey

PITMAN, NJ — Two South Jersey parks have been closed after several dead geese were found around their shared lake, officials said Tuesday.

The dead geese appeared on and around Alcyon Lake in Pitman. Officials did not say how many.

Betty Park and Alcyon Park in Pitman are closed until further notice as officials begin to determine the cause, the borough announced in an advisory. Both parks are by the lake.

The decision was made "out of an abundance of caution," the borough said.

"Borough officials, along with County Animal Control and County Office of Emergency Management met at the park moments ago to start the process of determining why there are dead geese on and around the lake," the advisory said. "All state and federal appropriate authorities have been contacted. More information will be shared once any determination has been made."

The discovery comes as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) continues to impact wild and domestic birds across the United States.

H5N1 has killed two people in the U.S. since 2024, according to the CDC. The virus has caused outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, but the current risk to humans is low, the federal agency says.

A resurgence of bird deaths attributable to avian influenza has been observed in various parts of New Jersey since November. Officials believe it's impacting wild birds in all counties, including but not limited to waterfowl, raptors, and scavenger birds.

On Monday, the Gloucester County Health Department issued an advisory about H5N1, warning people to avoid exposure to sick or wild animals, especially birds.

There have been no reported H5N1 cases impacting domestic birds in Gloucester County.