A Devon zoo has had to close as a second case of bird flu has been confirmed.

On Sunday (August 28) the zoo announced that it would not open on the following day, Bank Holiday Monday, due to a suspected case of avian flu in one of its pelicans.

The infection was confirmed, and today (Thursday) the zoo announced that bird flu has also been found in one of its peafowl.

The zoo is working with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to assess the extent of the outbreak and determine the next course of action.

In a sad message, a spokesperson for Paignton Zoo said: "Our mission at Wild Planet Trust is to protect at-risk species and we firmly hold onto our belief that every species is important.

"Despite the continuing hard work by all of our staff to minimise the impact of this disease upon our animals, we have been informed by Defra that affected animals will be humanely culled.

"This action will be undertaken by staff from Defra.

"We are currently waiting for clarification from APHA on which species they consider to be directly affected and we anticipate being informed imminently. Once we have received this information we will comply with APHA requirements.

"This is heart-breaking news for all of us here at Paignton Zoo, and our priority at this time remains to do all we can to protect our birds."

The zoo continues to implement biosecurity measures and quarantine plans which include relocating birds to new quarantine facilities on-site.

The zoo will stay closed to visitors until at least Sunday (September 4) but hopes to re-open on Monday (September 5).

The infections come the same week that Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset were placed in a Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.

All bird keepers - whether of five, 50 or 500 poultry or captive birds - are legally bound to implement strict biosecurity measures.