Nearly 100 birds at popular sanctuary euthanized
Nearly 100 birds were euthanized after staff at a popular Owen Sound sanctuary noticed they started exhibiting symptoms of avian influenza.
"Ninety-six birds were disposed of," said Adam Parsons, Harrison Park manager.
The city called on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to confirm the illness. It collected samples to be tested, and two days later, confirmed the birds were infected.
The CFIA took immediate action to control the spread.
"The primary focus is to limit the spread of this disease within Canada," the CFIA stated, noting the avian flu is "highly transmissible."
"Any birds that do not die from the virus are humanely euthanized and disposed of to prevent the spread of the disease," it continued.
The deaths came as a shock to locals, including the mayor.
"This is devastating news to the community," said Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy.
Britany Stevenson has fond memories of visiting the park with her mother as a child. Now, she shares the experience with her son.
The situation with the birds brought her to tears. "I'm trying not to look. It's awful," she said. "It's beyond anybody's control, but it's horrible."
Stevenson is trying to raise funds to replace the birds for future generations to enjoy.
ROYAL SWANS SPARED
Six swans with royal bloodlines were spared, with a lineage dating back over 100 years when their ancestors arrived in Owen Sound as a gift from King George V.
"On May 7, 1912, a crate showed up to the docks in Owen Sound with a return address of Buckingham Palace, and when they opened the three crates, they found royal swans," Parsons shared.
The CFIA said the swans would be isolated, quarantined and monitored for at least 14 days.
City employees who may have come into contact with the birds are also being monitored.
"Illness in humans is quite rare, so risk locally to folks visiting the park is very low," explained Gillian Jordan, public health manager with the Grey Bruce Health Unit.
The city has placed the site under a 120-day quarantine. Once over, the city said it would begin plans to revitalize Harrison Park and potentially enhance the bird sanctuary.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.