Wildlife centre fundraising for quarantine shed to treat avian flu
Bird experts reccommend removing feeders
The Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Hildon is fundraising $7,000 to build a quarantine shed in response to an uptick in a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu among birds.
Since the avian flu started spreading in Nova Scotia, incoming wildlife has been quarantined in a makeshift quarantine unit within the centre’s garage.
On March 29, the decision to build a new isolation unit was made. They determined the size of the structure required, got quotes and the campaign launched the next morning. Within 24 hours, the campaign raised more than $1,000.
“It went very quickly once we realized how urgent the need was,” said fundraising co-ordinator Jordanna Caine. “We’ve had a good start, but we need the momentum to carry on.”
The 8 x 10 x 10 mobile building and gravel pad will take about two weeks to install. They would like to be working in the structure by early May, with it being crucial for the upcoming baby season — which any excess funds will go toward supporting.
“We see a huge increase in intakes in the spring and the summer with a lot of additional costs on food, housing, veterinary services, medical supplies,” said Caine.
The first reported case of the H5N1 subtype of the avian flu in Nova Scotia was a wild goose in the eastern part of Halifax Regional Municipality on Feb. 28. Bi-weekly reports for Nova Scotia on the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative website show that of 260 dead birds tested
this year, 15 were positive for HPAI. Of 100 live birds tested, 29 had HPAI.
Although the avian influenza H5N1 strain is fairly new to Nova Scotia, it has been around in other parts of the world on the migratory path, said CWRC operations manager Brenda Boates.
Wildlife intake looks a little different now as handlers suit up in what Boates likens to “Stay Puft Marshmallow Man” suits with hazmat gear, mask and face shields for personal protective equipment.
The flu poses a significant risk to the poultry industry, where birds have no defence or resistance to the flu. Once a single positive is detected, the whole commercial flock is culled. Some poultry farms in the United States have gone as far as to wash vehicles’ tires before entering the property.
But Boates said that the situation is not so extreme here and will stay that way as long as people remain diligent.
“There’s not a need to panic,” said Boates. “There’s just a need for information and to be aware.”
CALL TO REMOVE BIRD FEEDERS
In mid-March, the province issued a recommendation to remove backyard feeders. Birder Ross Hall is taking his suet bird feeder inside, which he normally keeps out in the winter for extra fat and protein.
He said that it’s not just the avian flu — the risk for Trichomonosis, salmonella and other pathogens is prevalent.
“I think it’s time for people to be taking their bird feeders in because the weather’s getting warmer, and especially throughout the summer, there’s potential for diseases,” said Hall, adding that birdbaths are also hot spots.
Boates said there has been some resistance from those who have not seen any dead birds yet. “We really want (people) to realize that this is not a debate,” said Boates. “This avian influenza, the science is there, the facts are there.”
Boates believes that bird feeders should be a thing of the past. All birds have different dietary needs, and it takes a lot of work to regularly clean and restock feeders with high-quality fresh food. And feeding has
an impact on animals’ natural wellbeing, who are capable of finding their own.
Though at different rates, all birds can carry and be affected by the avian flu. Birds typically gather in large flocks spread apart, often across fields to feed, making it unnatural for different species to be near one another.
“Bird feeders, just by the nature of them, they gather all the birds together,” said Boates. “So they’re gathering songbirds, they’re gathering ground birds, they’re gathering raptors, and any predators that may follow, as well as rodents.”
As soon as an infected bird lands, even just after the device gets a bleach cleaning, the virus is there.
If people are concerned about birds and want to see them happy and healthy in their yard, Boates suggests planting native plants, resulting in a natural rotation of bird species coming through.
“It takes a while,” said Boates. “But if they plant native plants, the native plants provide food and shelter to the birds. And it… helps them along the migratory path. So by offering food and shelter, they will eventually get the birds in season, nesting in the area more and just living and eating and doing their thing.”
She said one fortunate side effect of COVID is that people are more careful to wash their hands — something the birds need humans to keep doing. These types of diseases are so contagious that anyone with pet birds should absolutely not have bird feeders and keep backyard farm animals enclosed, away from wildlife.
She advises bird watchers to bring an extra pair of footwear to change into after being in a marshy area, bagging and disinfecting it once back home. Species like the waterfowl are known to carry the flu asymptomatically.
Any dead birds should be reported to the Natural Resources Department, who will retrieve it with personal protective equipment at 1-800565-2224. They also take reports of injured birds to assess for intake.
It is possible for humans to contract the virus from the birds, though the risk remains very low.