⚠️ BREAKING: Twenty big cats at a Shelton wildlife sanctuary died from H5N1 bird flu within days around Thanksgiving, according to KOMO News. Over half the sanctuary's big cats have been infected as of December. - ThreadSky

hmpxvt.bsky.social • 61 days ago

⚠️ BREAKING:

Twenty big cats at a Shelton wildlife sanctuary died from H5N1 bird flu within days around Thanksgiving, according to KOMO News.

Over half the sanctuary's big cats have been infected as of December.

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hmpxvt.bsky.social•61 days ago

"It’s been one big nightmare. I never thought something like this would happen to us," Wild Felid Advocacy Center Director and Co-Founder Mark Mathews told KOMO News.

"Maybe only at a facility that had cats near each other, and ours are spread out over five acres."

hmpxvt.bsky.social•61 days ago

The tragedy has deeply affected the sanctuary workers who are grieving the loss of 20 animals that were part of worldwide wild cat conservation efforts. They include tigers, cougars, lynxes, bobcats, and other big cats.

hmpxvt.bsky.social•61 days ago

This comes as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports avian influenza cases are on the rise across the state. Cats are particularly vulnerable, and symptoms happen fast, often killing the animals within days from conditions like pneumonia.

hmpxvt.bsky.social•61 days ago

Mathews explained in his 20 years running the sanctuary, he and his volunteers never experienced anything like this. Now, the non-profit is taking extensive measures, like washing boots and suiting up in PPE before entering the sanctuary as they prepare to disinfect everything.

hmpxvt.bsky.social•61 days ago

The sanctuary is under quarantine to help protect their remaining animals. Mathews expects it will be months before they reopen to tour groups after getting approval from the Department of Agriculture.

knitty1kat.bsky.social•61 days ago

hope they dont forget to ask visitors to mask - isnt there a question if this is airborne?

wasdcwtodc.bsky.social•61 days ago

This is so sad. I grieve with them.
I hope that they can protect the remaining animals.

melissjpeltier.bsky.social•61 days ago

I’m so very sorry.
20 Big cats are irreplaceable. Such a loss of beloved wild friends.

mommabeartwo.bsky.social•61 days ago

💔

lib50.bsky.social•61 days ago

We have an outbreak here very close to me, just read about it. south Puget Sound area. I think 20 have died in a sanctuary of bird flu. Horrible deaths. This just since Nov, happening very fast.

mrsrobotbirdie.bsky.social•61 days ago

This is thanks to our government for their "quick" response in tackling H5N1.

ufomitzidino.bsky.social•60 days ago

This an absolute tragedy, so very sorry 🙏🙏🙏

artist12.bsky.social•60 days ago

Just awful! 😢

amarten.bsky.social•59 days ago

Yes - just saw this in NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/us/big-cat-bird-flu-deaths-washington.html?unlocked_article_code=1.kE4.o0EN.ok6GJ2Cs_dKi&smid=url-share

drmaligator.medsky.social•60 days ago

Hopefully not related to the raw cat food recall. The food has H5N1 that’s a genetic match to the dead infected cat.

neptewn.bsky.social•61 days ago

This is getting more alarming every day

chompie97.bsky.social•60 days ago

📌

chompie97.bsky.social•60 days ago

💔

jobochess.bsky.social•60 days ago

oh no… this is so sad.
and i’m worried for other cat lovers and their little ones.

sheeropacity.bsky.social•59 days ago

That's so many. Twenty...wow 🙁

Quite ominous...

iv3gan.bsky.social•60 days ago

Such a loss. *sigh* ...But, is this because they are fed raw chickens rather than the big cats infecting each other or being infected by staff contact?

myerkes1734.bsky.social•60 days ago

That’s horrific, has to really hard on the staff

churchlady320.bsky.social•61 days ago

Oh, no!!! That's horrible.

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