25.12.2024

Animal health officials have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among over half of the wild felids at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington.Twenty big cats, including a half-Bengal tiger and four cougars, succumbed between late November and mid-December at the sanctuary in Washington State after becoming infected with HPAI H5N1.Three other cats have recovered, while one remains in critical condition.
The first cat, a cougar, died on November 23, prompting concerns as several others began to exhibit increasing illness in the following days. An African serval was the last cat to die, on December 13. Currently, only 17 cats remain in the sanctuary.
The following wild cats have died: 1 Bengal Tiger, 4 Cougars, 1 African Caracal, 2 Canada Lynx, 1 Geoffroy Cat, 1 Bengal Cat, 1 Eurasian Lynx, 4 Bobcats, 5 African Servals.