Bird Flu Claims 20 Big Cats at Washington Sanctuary

A devastating outbreak of bird flu has killed 20 big cats at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton, Washington, over the past several weeks, the New York Times reports.

The fatalities, which occurred between late November and mid-December, included a half-Bengal tiger, four cougars, five African servals, and other exotic cats, according to the sanctuary’s director, Mark Mathews.

“This is unprecedented for us. Our cats usually live out their lives and pass from old age,” said Mathews. “This virus is incredibly aggressive.”

The virus first appeared among the sanctuary’s cougar population in late November, causing symptoms resembling pneumonia. On November 23, the first fatality, a cougar, occurred. The illness quickly spread to other species, and the final death, an African serval, occurred on December 13.

In total, 17 cats remain at the sanctuary, with three recovering from the illness and one still critically ill.

In response to the outbreak, the sanctuary has been placed under quarantine and will remain closed indefinitely. Workers have begun a rigorous sanitation process that could take months. Habitats are being disinfected, and all organic materials, including straw, are being removed, bagged, and burned.

“We’re disinfecting each habitat thoroughly, and then we have to let it sit for weeks before reopening,” said Mathews.

Sanctuary workers are taking additional precautions by wearing protective clothing and N95 masks and sanitizing their shoes to prevent further contamination.

Officials are investigating how the H5N1 bird flu virus entered the sanctuary. Possible sources include wild bird droppings or contaminated meat used to feed the cats. As a precaution, the sanctuary has removed 8,000 pounds of stored food to prevent additional infections.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed avian influenza cases in wild birds this fall and reported two infected cougars in Clallam County, a separate area of the state.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has been spreading rapidly since 2020, poses a significant threat to both birds and mammals, including cats. Similar outbreaks have occurred in other locations, including Seoul and California, highlighting the virus’s broad reach.

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center is known for rescuing big cats that have been neglected or whose owners can no longer care for them. Among the deceased animals were several beloved residents, including Tabbi, a half-Bengal tiger; Hooligan, a cougar; and Crackle, an African caracal.

“We’re doing everything we can to support our surviving cats and prevent this from happening again,” said Mathews.