Risk of lethal bacteria in Windsor Great Park pond sees pet owners warned

Dog owners have been warned not to let their animals near contaminated water in Windsor Great Park due to a risk of potentially lethal bacteria.

Cautions remain in place ‘until further notice’ due to a ‘late bloom’ of blue-green algae found in Obelisk Pond near the south of the park.

An update on the Windsor Great Park website said: “A late ‘bloom’ of blue-green algae has been detected on Obelisk Pond, and it can be dangerous.

“Dogs are at risk from blue-green algae if they swim in or drink contaminated water, or if they get algae caught in their fur and ingest it while cleaning themselves later on.

“Please keep your dog out of Obelisk Pond until further notice.”

The Express understands warning signs have been placed around the affected pond, in addition to warnings placed on social media and on the park website.

Windsor Great Park members have been emailed about the risk of dangerous bacteria, as well as anglers and commercial dog walkers who use the park.

The warning was placed in the visitor updates section of the Windsor Great Park website, linked to the Blue Cross animal welfare charity website for more information.

Not all blue-green algae are dangerous. But this type of cyanobacterium – which has the appearance of clumps of blue-green algae – is toxic and can be lethal to animals that are exposed to it.

Exposure can occur through drinking contaminated water, or through contact with fur through swimming. The bacteria can also cause illness in people who touch or swallow them.

Information on the Blue Cross website said: “Exposure to toxic blue-green algae is often fatal and it can cause long-term health problems in dogs that survive.

“Concentrations of the algae vary throughout the year.

“But it's best not to run the risk of allowing
your dog to come into contact with water where the algae may be present.”

The Dogs Trust charity also issued a warning about blue-green algae to pet owners across the United Kingdom earlier this year.

Cyanobacteria grow during hot, dry conditions where water flow is slow or stagnant.

It is dispersed and diluted during periods of rainfall.

Crown Estate authorities continue to monitor the quality of water bodies across the Great Park, in addition to the affected pond.

The Obelisk Pond is a water body that lies in the shadow of the Cumberland Obelisk.

The more than 26m tall stone pillar, featuring a copper sphere at its peak, was built more than two hundred years ago in memory of the Duke of Cumberland.

A Windsor Great Park ranger in the mid-1700s, the Duke commanded British armed forces in Europe and the Americas.

Dog walkers in Maidenhead had raised worries about bacteria in The Cut stream, suggested to have been cyanobacteria, earlier this year.

Windsor and Maidenhead council and the Environment Agency said at the time that neither authority was aware of any problems with water in The Cut.

For more information about the warning of blue-green algae in Windsor Great Park, visit the park’s website.