An animal sanctuary in Summerland, British Columbia has revealed that a number of their feathered friends have been put down following positive tests for H5N1, better known as avian flu.No humans have exhibited any signs of illness.According to Critterland, a rooster named Delta first exhibited signs of illness on October 25 and passed away. The following day, three more birds died, and their bodies were sent to a laboratory for analysis. Between October 26 and 29, eight chickens died and two were euthanized after being found "extremely sick."On October 29, lab results were returned confirming that the birds had avian flu.Critterland first announced the news on November 7, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was carrying out its cull of over 300 ostriches at a farm in Edgewood over virus-related fears.They said the team and volunteers were "devastated" by the news, noting that "the animals in our care are the center of everything we do, and the emotional weight of this moment is immense.""Because this situation is still active and regulated, we are simply consumed with this horror," the statement continued. "We want to be very clear: we are not hiding anything from our community. We are simply trying to move through this with care, accuracy, and integrity while also supporting our animals and each other.".In a follow-up statement, Critteraid outlined the aforementioned deaths, and revealed that it had also made the decision to euthanize five ducks on November 8. They noted that instead of hiring outsiders, the task was completed in house to "ensure it was done with love and dignity."The deceased ducks included Charles, 18, Cossette, 12, Martin, nine, Bernie, seven, and Themla, five.They added that the farm was "immediately shut down for all but essential personnel," and that they were following all Island Health and CFIA protocol..UPDATED: CFIA says shooting BC ostriches was 'most appropriate and humane option'.The CFIA carried out the cull after nearly a year of legal battles with Universal Ostrich Farms.The saga began in December 2024, when an avian flu outbreak was declared at the farm. Co-owner Karen Espersen said she believed the disease was brought to their property by a flock of migrating ducks, who took shelter in the barn.Initially, the farm saw as many as four ostriches dying per day, but eventually the deaths petered out. Pasitney said this was evidence that the birds had acquired herd immunity.Nonetheless, when the CFIA got wind of the outbreak in December, they sent a team out to investigate, and after testing two carcasses, determined that the entire herd had to be culled. This was incomprehensible to the owners and their families, who have developed strong relationships with each individual bird.
