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S.O.S. OPERATIONS AFFECTED BY THE REGIONAL OUTBREAK OF BIRD FLU

As you may know, there have been widespread outbreaks of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (bird flu) disease in poultry farms throughout East Anglia, where stocks have contracted the disease from wild birds.

Bird flu is a virus that occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds and can infect domestic poultry. The risk to humans is generally considered very low and is usually the result of close contact with an infected bird. Along with all keepers of captive birds we have therefore been instructed by APHA (the Animal and Plant Health Agency) to cease any form of free flying of our collection in display and keep them under cover until further notice. This is to protect them from the risk of contracting the deadly virus from wild bird excrement which may be found in the centre.

• OUR RAPTOR HOSPITAL REMAINS OPEN *
  Despite the outbreak of bird flu, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary has been given dispensation to keep our raptor hospital open to treat and rehabilitate new admissions of injured, sick, or otherwise traumatised owls and other birds of prey.

In order to do this we have strict quarantine protocols in place at the centre and for the staff who assist in the hospital. These include a separate triage reception area for the isolated examination of all bird intakes as we cannot risk any wild bird with Avian Influenza being brought into the centre itself could contaminate all of our other birds.

IF YOU FIND AN INJURED BIRD OF PREY, it may be infected with the disease. These are the obvious signs of a bird which may have contracted Avian Influenza:

• the bird is unsteady on its feet, falling sideways or backwards when observed (or unable to control its lower body)?

• the bird is showing head tremors or seizure-like movements?

• the bird is swollen in the face, under the eyes, or has an overly 'puffy' appearance around the head?

• is the bird appearing drunk, or has limited visual capabilities?

• Is the bird struggling to breathe or expelling fluid from the mouth and/or nose?

• Has the bird been found local to large collections of waterfowl and/or poultry or wildfowl?

• Has the bird been found near or around other deceased wild birds?

If yes to any of the questions above, please do NOT touch or remove the bird from its location, but make every effort to report it to the relevant governing body such as DEFRA or the APHA by calling 03459 335577.

If the bird is not showing any of the above symptoms, please contact us at 03456 807 897 to arrange to bring it to the Sanctuary for examination and treatment.

IF YOU FIND A DEAD BIRD OF PREY PLEASE REPORT IT TO APHA or DEFRA by calling 03459 335577.