Dead snow geese lie in a field west of Regina. (Logan Stein/980 CJME)

By Logan Stein/CJME News

Avian flu crippling Saskatchewan’s bird population

Apr 27, 2022 | 11:28 AM

West of Regina on Centre Road, dozens of snow geese can be seen scattered dead in empty fields.

Scenes like this around the province are becoming more common and are expected to increase in the weeks ahead.

It’s because avian flu is spreading at a rapid rate among different bird species and organizations are getting a huge influx of calls as a result.

“We knew in March that it was coming because it had hit the whole east coast of North America,” said Bonnie Dell, the president of the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan. “We knew that we were in the line of fire for it but it hits so fast, and it was catastrophic to see what was happening so quickly.

“No one was expecting to get so many calls for mass casualties.”

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There is no cure for the virus and the chances of a bird surviving it are slim, according to Bell. It has been detected in a number of poultry flocks in the province.

“They have to be left totally alone, away from everything else for 21 days,” she said. “That’s next to impossible to do for most facilities because they don’t have the space.

“This is like COVID for birds. It’s here (and) it’s going to run its course.”

Ducks, ravens, crows, blue jays, owls and dozens of other bird species are all at risk.

Darrell Crabbe with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation says the virus could have implications on many bird populations in the near future.

“It’s a fairly aggressive issue. It really takes them out and reduces those populations pretty quickly,” Crabbe said. ” I think a lot of people think it’s concentrated on migratory birds but it’s not.

“Primarily the impact will be felt more with the migratory bird populations on their return from their nesting sites.”

The virus was first detected in a snow goose near Elrose on April 8.

According to experts, the virus isn’t new, but it certainly hasn’t been this bad since 2015.

Poultry farms have been especially vulnerable with small flock owners being encouraged to confine their birds indoors, if possible, during wild bird migration.

The Saskatchewan government said there isn’t any risk to food safety and the risk of transmission is low. However, people working with chickens suspected of being infected should use protective clothing.

Organizations such as the Wildlife Rescue Society are worried that rare bird species that are already at risk could get sick and die as a result of an increase in cases

Dell says it’s a very unfortunate possibility.

“The big concern is if it hits one of the critically endangered bird species like the whooping crane or sage grouse,” she said. “It’s a terrifying thought for us.”

Dell recommends people take down their bird feeders and not feed birds at their local pond while cases of this virus are spreading.

“(We) definitely do not want birds congregating to be fed,” she said.

Anyone looking for more information surrounding avian flu can reach out to the Wildlife Rescue Society by clicking here.