The Director of Fota Wildlife Park in Cork has described the confirmation of avian flu in four geese there as a "complex" and "dynamic" situation.
Aileen Tennant said the confirmation of avian flu in the 100-acre park was an extremely uncertain and worrying time for staff and management there.
She said the decision by the Department of Agriculture to close the park to the public until further notice will have a significant impact on Fota's ability to generate revenue, against a backdrop of weekly operating costs of €120,000.
Fota employs around 70 full-time staff, including rangers and conservation staff.
Fota would not say if there have been further suspected cases of avian flu in birds at the park, since the original report of four suspected cases to the Department of Agriculture earlier this week.
Fota Wildlife Park is also refusing to put a spokesperson forward for interview.
The Department of Agriculture is the lead agency with responsibility for coordinating the response to bird flu cases.
Ms Tennant said the focus of everyone at Fota was on getting to the stage where the park can safely reopen.
"This is an extremely uncertain and worrying time for all of us at Fota Wildlife Park," Ms Tennant said in a statement.
"We are working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and remain focused on the care and welfare of our team and the wildlife in the park.
"We are very grateful for the outpouring of support from members of the public, visitors, annual pass holders, as well as from our partners and international colleagues."on
Fota is 10 kilometres east of Cork city.
It attracts around 430,000 visitors per year. It is one of the country's most popular visitor attractions.
Restrictions to continue in Cork over bird flu fears
Meanwhile, restrictions to safeguard public health are to remain in place at The Lough in Cork, following another suspected case of bird flu there.
The Lough is a popular amenity area on the south side of Cork, two kilometres from the city centre.
Tests are being done on a mallard duck which was recovered dead there 10 days ago.
Cork City Council said it is awaiting the results of those tests.
It is understood that restrictions, which include a ban on fishing, the decommissioning of bird feeders, and ongoing advice to the public to stay away from dead and sick birds at the site, were about to be lifted when the latest bird death there was discovered on 6 October.
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'Stressful time' as poultry farmer near Fota fears bird-flu spread
Bird flu cases confirmed in Cork city's The Lough amenity
It brings to nine the number of bird deaths at The Lough since the first suspected case of bird flu there in mid-September.
As the lead agency with responsibility for coordinating the response to bird flu cases, the Department of Agriculture will decide when restrictions at The Lough can be lifted.
