Sask. wildlife rescue groups say calls rising for birds showing avian flu signs

Wildlife rescue groups say calls are rising for birds showing avian flu signs, with most cases reported in southern and central Saskatchewan. Damian Smith repor

As birds migrate their way back north to Saskatchewan, federal and provincial officials are keeping their eye out for avian flu. Since December 2021, it’s believed more than 1.2 million birds in Saskatchewan have been impacted.

This year, cases have already been found in the province.

According to the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan (WRSOS), at least half of their calls have been related to birds with symptoms of avian flu, with calls coming in from all parts of the province.

“Strangely, this spring, we’re getting calls from people who have sick geese on the front doorstep of their homes,” said Bonnie Dell, executive director of the WRSOS. “The goose has taken shelter on the front step; people don’t know what to do.”

The provincial Ministry of Environment says that the majority of their avian flu-related calls have come from central and southern Saskatchewan.

“Over the last several weeks as the birds are moving through on their spring migration trying to get up to their nesting grounds, they’re crowded, they’re stressed, and then that increases risk of transmission,” said Iga Stasiak, a wildlife health specialist with the Ministry of Environment.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), there are seven current “infected premises” in the province, tying Alberta for the most in the country.

There are four main areas of the province that are currently affected by the avian flu – both commercial and non-commercial. Those areas are the RMs of Barrier Valley No. 397, Monet No. 257, Stonehenge No. 73 and Buffalo No. 409.

Stasiak said it’s hard to compare the volume of domestic cases to cases in the wild.

“Wildlife are susceptible, as are domestic poultry. The domestic poultry are quite susceptible. With the wildlife, it’s a little bit more variable, but both groups of species are affected by this virus, ” she said.

According to Salthaven West Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, birds that are more susceptible to the avian flu are ducks, geese, crows, and raptors. This spring, they have also treated crows and a great horned owl.

“It’s sad to see when people call us, they will send us videos of the animals, and they just don’t look well, it’s very sad to see,” said Megan Lawrence, the director of Salthaven West. “We encourage them to just leave them alone and not handle them.”

Salthaven said they are not allowed to take in birds with symptoms, to ensure they protect their healthy patients.

Symptoms of the avian flu include being off balance, falling over, seizures, lethargy, and cloudy eyes. Wildlife experts say if birds show any of these signs, people are advised not to touch thing, and to call a wildlife rescue.