Bird Flu Outbreak Claims Lives of 20 Big Cats in Washington Sanctuary

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington is mourning the loss of 20 big cats due to a bird flu outbreak that has brought unprecedented grief to staff and raised concerns about the virus's impact on wildlife.

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington has reported a tragic loss of 20 big cats, including a Bengal tiger and four cougars, to a severe bird flu outbreak. The sanctuary described the emotional toll this incident has taken on its team, stating, "This tragedy has deeply affected our team, and we are all grieving the loss of these incredible animals." The outbreak, believed to be carried by wild birds, primarily spreads through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact, but can also affect mammals that consume contaminated birds or their products.

To contain the spread of the virus, the sanctuary has enforced a quarantine and closed its doors to the public. The deadly infections spanned from late November to mid-December, as highlighted by sanctuary director Mark Mathews in an interview with the New York Times. He expressed his shock, noting, "We've never had anything like it; they usually die basically of old age." The sanctuary reported that among the deceased were five African servals, four bobcats, and two Canada lynx, leaving only 17 cats remaining.

Bird flu has been a persistent issue among poultry flocks in the United States and has recently begun to impact cattle. The CDC reported a total of 61 human cases of bird flu since April 2024, though the overall risk to the public is still considered low, with most cases presenting mild symptoms. Recent developments have prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency regarding the outbreak's effects on dairy cows, aiming to equip the government with necessary resources to address the crisis effectively.