Bird flu turns up in Montana wild birds; turkey hunters cautioned as season starts

Posted on by

Exposing the Big Game's avatarThe Extinction Chronicles

1of 2

Freezeout Lake

Geese and swans flock to Freezeout Lake each spring.

  • Julia Moss

Chicken

A chicken is photographed in Billings on Friday.

  • AMY LYNN NELSON, BILLINGS GAZETTE

Although wild birds are much more likely to survive bird flu than domestic fowl, Montana wildlife officials are still noticing fatalities.

In a press conference Friday, employees of state Fish, Wildlife and Parks said that while waterfowl seem likely to survive Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, wild turkeys are dying. The discovery comes as the state’s male wild turkey season begins. Hunters are advised to avoid birds that appear sick.

“It appears these birds, at least the ones in Montana, these animals, several of them died in one location. So, it might be highly fatal to them,” said Jennifer Ramsey, FWP veterinarian.

View original post

Leave a comment