Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network increases safety measures due to bird flu outbreak

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is increasing its safety measures due to concerns over a bird flu that has spread globally.

Avian flu has not only left egg prices to skyrocket, it's also creating an impact on services at a local wildlife center in Santa Barbara.

"So we have an outbreak of avian flu that is affecting wild birds and poultry, causing mass mortality events, unfortunately in both of the species," said director of veterinary services, Rebecca Aldoretta of Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

Managers of the wildlife center said this specific strain, H5N1, has been circulating among birds for several years.

But it has only become deadly throughout the nation in the last year.

"I mean, it affects probably 2/3 of our patients potentially. Obviously it’s been extremely detrimental to wildlife populations to domestic birds to farmed bird global pandemics so it’s highly concerning," said veterinary intern Threnody Brown Earley-Clark of the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

The bird flu has spread rapidly not only among chickens, but also other bird populations including owls eagles and more. 

"Yes, we have a process of an animal comes in for intake. We do the intake outside in a tent before they get moved into our facility and then they are under quarantine for a couple of days before they go into the actual facility," said wildlife technician Naomi Tripp of Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

Right now the wildlife center is building a new exam facility for high risk birds.

"My concern is it is becoming endemic, so it’s everywhere. It’s probably not gonna go away so the safety measures that we’ve taken to try to protect our birds in Care will have to be something that we do long-term," said director of veterinary services, Rebecca Aldoretta of Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

"My hope is that eventually it will get a little bit less contagious, but it kind of seems like this is the new normal for now," said Tripp.

Visitors are currently not allowed inside the organization's facility.

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