Massive numbers of sandhill cranes are dying off due to a bird flu outbreak in Indiana, with over 1,500 birds killed so far. The avian flu has also affected geese and ducks, raising concerns about the potential threat to endangered whooping cranes.
The outbreak is part of a larger spread of the highly infectious respiratory illness that has already killed millions of birds worldwide. Since its beginning, roughly 144 million chickens have been affected, along with 18.6 million turkeys and over 166 million domestic birds in total.
Experts warn that bird flu can mutate to become more dangerous to people, leading to at least one human death in the United States. The virus has also been detected in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as in 40 wild mammal species.
Volunteers are collecting dead birds from shorelines, marshes, and ponds, with some areas seeing massive die-offs. Local resident Sean Leone reported seeing 45 sandhill cranes die in front of his house. Conservation experts stress the importance of sharing habitat and wetlands with other waterfowl, as even small numbers of infected birds can spread the virus.
Other countries have seen mass crane die-offs caused by bird flu, including an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Eurasian cranes in Hungary last winter. The situation highlights the need for vigilance and action against the highly infectious avian flu pandemic.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/28/bird-flu-outbreak-kills-migratory-sandhill-cranes/80700275007