Protecting our Birds against Avian influenza
Donation protected
Already this year, there have been more than 5x as many outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird flu) as there were in the whole of 2021 and scientists suggest that this is the worst outbreak of the disease ever seen in the UK.
In previous years, bird flu tended to be seasonal, appearing occasionally over the winter period but this year cases have continued to remain high even throughout the summer. This has sadly resulted in birds at zoos and rescue centres having to be culled.
With this in mind, we will be erecting a large net over the whole of the North Somerset Bird of Prey Centre to stop any wild birds from entering as it seems infected wild birds are the main way in which the virus is being transmitted. This lethal virus is unlikely to ever go away and it is vital we do everything we can to protect our bird collection from avian influenza. We are home to several threatened and endangered birds of prey which are of great conservational concern.
After 2 years of covid closures and lockdowns we are not in a position financially to absorb these costs, especially with the winter months coming up when the birds and animals eat more, require more heating, bedding and supplementary lighting, so we are hoping our wonderful visitors and followers will be able to help us raise these urgent funds.
We have added up the cost of materials and (excluding labour and reusing materials we already have on site) we need to raise £1,650. If you can help, in any small way, it will make a huge difference and help us protect the beautiful birds of prey that call NSBOPC their home.
A sincere thank you from all our staff and feathered friends
In previous years, bird flu tended to be seasonal, appearing occasionally over the winter period but this year cases have continued to remain high even throughout the summer. This has sadly resulted in birds at zoos and rescue centres having to be culled.
With this in mind, we will be erecting a large net over the whole of the North Somerset Bird of Prey Centre to stop any wild birds from entering as it seems infected wild birds are the main way in which the virus is being transmitted. This lethal virus is unlikely to ever go away and it is vital we do everything we can to protect our bird collection from avian influenza. We are home to several threatened and endangered birds of prey which are of great conservational concern.
After 2 years of covid closures and lockdowns we are not in a position financially to absorb these costs, especially with the winter months coming up when the birds and animals eat more, require more heating, bedding and supplementary lighting, so we are hoping our wonderful visitors and followers will be able to help us raise these urgent funds.
We have added up the cost of materials and (excluding labour and reusing materials we already have on site) we need to raise £1,650. If you can help, in any small way, it will make a huge difference and help us protect the beautiful birds of prey that call NSBOPC their home.
A sincere thank you from all our staff and feathered friends
Organizer
Leanne McManus-Dunkley
Organizer
