Urgent Bird Die-Off: Avian Flu Threatens Manitoba Wildlife

URGENT UPDATE: A shocking die-off of geese has been reported in the Lockport area of Manitoba, sparking fears of an avian flu outbreak. Local resident Rick Schween discovered dozens of dead birds along the Red River on December 5, 2023, raising alarming concerns about the health of wildlife in the region.

While checking ice conditions for snowmobiling, Schween spotted numerous dark patches on the ice near open water. “I’ve never seen dead geese like this, ever,” he stated, emphasizing the unsettling sight. This incident marks a critical moment, as the die-off may not be isolated; it is one of three locations within a five-minute drive where dead geese have been found in just one week.

Canadian Wildlife Service biologist Frank Baldwin is sounding the alarm, stating that the potential spread of avian flu could affect other species as well. “Eagles, crows, and other animals are actually eating the carcasses of these dead geese, and that may spread the flu even further,” Baldwin warned. Authorities are testing geese from the Lockport area for the virus, and results are urgently awaited.

Earlier this month, dead geese discovered in a Niverville retention pond also tested positive for avian flu. As of December 5, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported that six premises in Manitoba are currently infected, with a total of 26 premises having been affected this year. Since December 2021, approximately 524,000 birds have been impacted by the virus.

Baldwin noted that Manitoba’s unusually warm fall has contributed to the current situation, preventing natural controls that would typically limit the virus’s spread. “In cases where we have more normal falls, the chances of seeing mass mortality events are probably much lower,” he added.

This alarming situation underscores the ongoing threat posed by the avian flu, which has shown signs of becoming an endemic issue over the past four years. With 726 geese tested this year, 54 of which have tested positive, the urgency for immediate action is clear.

As authorities continue their investigations, the community is left grappling with the implications of this potential health crisis. The situation is developing rapidly, and local residents are advised to stay informed and report any further sightings of dead wildlife.

Stay tuned for updates on this urgent wildlife health issue, as officials work to contain the spread of avian flu in Manitoba.