Bird Flu Kills 20 Big Cats at Washington Sanctuary

[{"selector":"#anim-362eb21c-1a51-4678-992a-c98ebdd5dbac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2472ab3e-7272-488f-a9e5-e55a17d10fab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-746d69ac-e8e7-4190-9f7d-d3dbc321e521","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1796b5d0-6013-41ec-9115-7518dec981cb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A devastating H5N1 outbreak killed 20 big cats at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington in December 2024. Photo Source: Enric Cruz Lopez (Pexels)

Species affected included tigers, cougars, caracals, lynx, bobcats, servals, Geoffroy's cats, and Bengal cats.

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Symptoms first appeared in cougars in November, leading to rapid fatalities within weeks.

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[{"selector":"#anim-79504d6e-e650-47c3-aa0f-9befea609893 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e617d833-9dad-4a5b-929d-fedabce6ec6d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8dc01cf4-5800-4c09-8b55-cce7079de991","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5790e7e5-6dd6-4896-9383-b034568399f3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The sanctuary implemented strict biosecurity measures, including habitat disinfection and food disposal. Photo Source: Ron Lach (Pexels)

[{"selector":"#anim-e046da26-27e7-4272-9498-384897d4244e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d7b2da3-c88d-4348-94d6-18b2e3f3a7ac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec9fff60-f8e4-4320-ad7b-1070a898f271","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a57b5f4-8127-4ca5-aa17-d3665aa099c8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Experts like Mark Elbroch warn this outbreak highlights broader environmental contamination risks. Photo Source: National Geographic

Currently, the sanctuary houses 17 surviving cats and remains under quarantine.

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The outbreak underscores the vulnerability of captive wildlife to emerging diseases.

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Arizona Zoo's Bird Flu Outbreak 5 Animal Deaths, 2 Human Cases

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