Odense Zoo has temporarily closed a section of its treetop walkway attraction after discovering a nest of oak processionary moth caterpillars four metres up in an oak tree. The Bøgetoppen attraction, which features suspension bridges 12 metres above ground, was shut on Monday to allow an investigation of the area. The local municipality has been notified.
Each caterpillar carries roughly 60,000 urticating hairs that can cause severe itching, skin rashes, eye irritation, and respiratory difficulties, with rare cases of serious allergic reaction. Zoo director Bjarne Klausen purchased 200 birdhouses two weeks ago to encourage breeding of tits, a natural predator of the larvae.
The caterpillar has been detected across multiple Danish locations including Odense, Kerteminde, Nyborg, Herning, Morsø, Amager, and northern Funen. Pest control crews are working to remove nests and larvae; Rentokil began operations on Amager Fælled last Wednesday.