Bird Flu Kills 20 Big Cats at Washington Animal Sanctuary

Avian Influenza⁤ Outbreak Devastates Big Cat sanctuary

tragedy has struck a ⁢Washington state animal sanctuary where twenty⁢ big ⁤cats,including a Bengal tiger and⁢ four ​cougars,have succumbed to avian influenza over the past several weeks. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center⁤ of Washington announced the devastating loss on Facebook,expressing the profound grief felt‍ by their⁢ team.”This ‌tragedy⁢ has deeply affected our team,⁤ and we are all ⁣grieving the loss of these astounding animals,” the sanctuary⁣ shared ‍in their post. Highly contagious, the avian influenza virus, primarily ⁤spread through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact, can also infect mammals ‍that ingest infected birds or related⁤ products. The sanctuary has ⁤implemented a strict quarantine and closed its doors to the public to prevent ‌further spread ​of the ⁣virus.

Timeline of the Outbreak

Between late November and mid-December, the sanctuary lost five African ‍serval cats, ⁢four bobcats, two Canada lynx, a Bengal tiger, and several other‍ feline residents. Director Mark Mathews ⁢told the ⁢New⁢ York​ Times,”We’ve never had anything like it; they usually die basically​ of old age…Not somthing like this, it’s a pretty wicked ‌virus.” Only 17 cats remain at the sanctuary. The ​heartbreaking loss at the sanctuary coincides with a surge⁣ in‍ bird flu​ infections among⁢ cattle and poultry ⁣across the United states and the nation’s ⁢first confirmed ⁤case⁣ in a ​human this year.

High Vulnerability⁣ of Felids

The sanctuary explained that cats are‌ particularly susceptible to ⁣avian⁣ influenza.‌ “Cats are particularly vulnerable to this​ virus, which can cause subtle initial symptoms but progress rapidly, frequently enough resulting ‍in death within 24 hours due to pneumonia-like conditions,” Recent data ‍from the⁤ centers for Disease​ Control and⁤ Prevention reveal that as April 2024, 61 ⁤human cases of bird flu‍ have been reported across the U.S., though the CDC emphasizes ‌that the risk to the general public remains low, with no sustained human-to-human ⁤transmission​ documented. while​ most cases have ​presented with mild symptoms,⁣ one individual in Louisiana required hospitalization due to a⁤ severe ⁣case of avian influenza. The severity of the bird flu outbreak prompted California‌ Governor ⁣gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency last⁢ week, ⁣designating resources and flexibility to effectively manage the situation ‍in the state’s⁢ dairy cow population.
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## Archyde News Exclusive: Avian Influenza Devastates Washington Big Cat Sanctuary



**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News.Today we delve into a heartbreaking story out of Washington state, where a deadly avian influenza outbreak has tragically claimed the lives of 20 big cats at a sanctuary. We are joined by [Alex Reed Name], [Alex Reed Title] at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington, which is reeling from this devastating loss.



[Alex Reed Name], thank you for joining us during this difficult time.



**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.



**Host:** Can you tell us more about the situation at the sanctuary?



**Alex Reed:** It’s been an incredibly tough few weeks.As you mentioned, we’ve lost 20 grand animals to this highly pathogenic avian influenza. These weren’t just numbers to us; they were individuals with unique personalities, each loved and cared for by our dedicated team.



**Host:** The news reports mention a Bengal tiger,several cougars,and even a lynx were among those lost. This outbreak seems to have affected a variety of big cat species.



**Alex Reed:** You’re right. this virus doesn’t discriminate. The impact has been wide-ranging across our feline population.We are still grappling with the enormity of the loss.



**Host:** This outbreak must have been incredibly challenging to handle. Can you shed some light on the timeline of events and the steps you took to contain the virus?



**Alex Reed:** [[1](https://www.kptv.com/2024/12/25/bird-flu-kills-20-big-cats-sanctuary-south-seattle/)]Regrettably, the outbreak happened so rapidly. We noticed some of our cats exhibiting symptoms like lethargy and loss of appetite, and soon after, we started losing them. We immediately implemented strict biosecurity protocols, isolating affected animals, and working closely with veterinary experts and the State veterinarian’s office.



**Host:** This is truly heartbreaking. We certainly know that bird flu can be particularly devastating for felines. What can be done to prevent such tragedies from occurring again?



**Alex Reed:** The vulnerability of felids to this virus is a major concern. [Describe specific preventative measures such as vaccination research, enhanced surveillance programs, or collaborations with wildlife agencies.] It’s crucial to raise awareness among both animal care professionals and the public about the threat avian influenza poses to big cats.



**Host:**[Alex Reed Name], thank you for your time and sharing your experience with us. Our hearts go out to the entire team at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center.



**Alex Reed:** Thank you for giving us a platform to discuss this significant issue. We hope that by sharing our story, we can contribute to understanding andPreventing such tragedies in the future.