Avian flu likely behind influx of sick, dead Canadian geese in Kingston: expert
Reply
Bird flu roils poultry industry, raising concern over egg prices ahead of Easter
More than 2 million birds were killed in California over the last month as producers across the globe struggle once again to control the rapid spread of the virus.
Published Feb. 2, 2024
By
Nathan OwensReporter
- https://www.fooddive.com/news/bird-flu-roils-poultry-industry-raising-concerns-ahead-of-easter/706165/
A deadly wave of bird flu has infiltrated commercial farms throughout the U.S. and is devastating poultry growers in California. Once again, in what seems like a repeat of this time last year, the spread threatens to raise egg prices ahead of Easter.
Approximately 1.96 million birds raised for domestic meat or egg consumption in California were culled in January alone to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Detections were found at seven commercial chicken, egg or turkey farms.
The monthly uptick is more than half of all the birds affected by the virus in California since October 2023, according to the data. Most of the commercial cases are contained to four counties, including Sonoma County, where local officials declared a state of emergency following two detections in early December.
As cases continue to climb and more birds are depopulated, Brian Earnest, a protein analyst with CoBank, said it will be difficult to replace the amount of poultry and eggs leaving the market, especially in California where there are cage-free laws that prohibit sourcing from conventional eggs.
“Overall, the market hasn’t seen much impact yet,” Earnest said. Retail and wholesale prices have seasonally weakened after growers rebuilt their flocks and production improved following the worst poultry disease outbreak on record. However, after months without any bird flu detections, the U.S. market outlook has grown murky again with HPAI’s reemergence in fall 2023.
Typically, egg production picks up at the end of the year, when consumers are doing a lot of baking and cooking for the holidays, Earnest said. After that, production winds down to give the industry a sigh of relief and an opportunity for some retooling. But prices could rise once demand picks up again in March, Earnest said, “especially if bird flu continues to be a detriment to the overall supply.”
“I expect as we get closer to Easter to be in a tight supply situation,” he said. “Those cage-free markets are going to see more shelves that are empty compared to other markets.”
BIRD FLU ATTACKS ANTARCTIC PENGUINS: “MANY MORE ARE DYING”
Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands – After two gentoo penguins were found dead in the Falkland Islands a few weeks ago, the body count started rising. Now, an ecological disaster is on its way.
For years, scientists and governments have managed to keep diseases from sweeping the Antarctic region, avoiding an environmental catastrophe that could see hundreds of species suffer. Sadly, it seems those years have come to an end.
Avian flu is an extremely infectious virus that primarily targets aquatic birds and has been a problem for years. The CDC has identified the virus, known more specifically as H5N1, as being “highly pathogenic” and a “sporadic” threat to humans.
On January 19, however, the Falkland Islands Government recorded a never-before-seen case of the infection. Tragically, two gentoo penguins were found dead on Sea Lion Island, and hundreds soon followed.
‘Eat a Chicken and the Penguin Gets It,’ Proclaims New PETA Billboard
Putnam County Man Admits to Spray Painting Squirrels
Fri, February 2, 2024 by Lucas Day
SHARE NOW
pxhere
A Putnam County man has admitted to trapping and spray painting squirrels.
DEC officers arrested 62-year-old Mark Kuhn after they claimed he was trapping and painting the squirrels before releasing them in a nearby park.
Officers say Kuhn trapped the squirrels and spray painted them with apple-red colored “Rust-Oleum Paint + Primer” to “keep track of those returning to his yard and causing his dog to bark.”
Northern Rockies Gray Wolves Denied Endangered Species Act Protection
CPW urges hunter awareness after coyote-hunting injury
‘Worst forms of cruelty’: Advocates warn of rise of deadly raccoon traps In Metro Vancouver
STAFF
CTVNewsVancouver.ca
Published date: Friday, February 2nd 2024 – 7:17 pm
Modified date: Friday, February 2nd 2024 – 7:17 pm
It appears a growing number of Metro Vancouver homeowners are fed up with raccoons, and they’re taking matters into their own hands.
Animal advocates have been finding more traps set on private property, traps they say are cruel and often lead to the animals dying.
The Fur-Bearers – a wildlife advocacy group – said they’re seeing more cases of raccoons trapped by duke cuffs.
“These devices are incredibly inhumane,” said Lesley Fox, the group’s executive director.
The device – made to catch raccoons – traps them by the paw, leaving the animal to struggle until it’s released, starves, or frees itself.
“(They) introduce the potential for some of the worst forms of cruelty that we’ve ever seen,” Fox said.
She cited an incident in Mission in late November.
“Neighbours had reported hearing screams coming from next door, and when they looked out their window, (they saw) three raccoons caught and struggling,” Fox said.
Two of the raccoons had to be euthanized, while the third is still recovering in care.
When animals are caught in the traps, homeowners need to dispose of them any way they can; some, Fox said, are killing them.
“(People are using) carbon monoxide from cars,” she said. “Raccoons have been drowned and also killed by a shovel.”
If they’re not killed, the BC SPCA said, many of the animals injure themselves trying to escape, breaking teeth and bones.
“Oftentimes, those injuries are so severe that they can’t rehabilitate the animal, and so the only option is humane euthanasia,” said Andrea Wallace, manager of wild animal welfare for BC SPCA.
Instead of trapping, the SPCA said, people should contact professionals. It has started Animal Kind, an online list of accredited pest control companies in B.C. that are humane.
“(They use) exclusion and prevention techniques in making sure wild animals are being treated humanely,” Wallace said.
Wildlife groups want homeowners to take more steps to make their yards unattractive to raccoons and other pests, things like bringing in garbage, keeping property maintained and not leaving food out.
And if raccoons do keep coming back, advocates said to try methods like bright lights and apple cider vinegar rather than trapping.
