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Twenty Big Cats Die at Washington Animal Sanctuary After Contracting Bird Flu

Incident Date:
12/20/2024
Location:
Shelton, WA - USA
Facility Name:
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington
Facility Type:
Non-accredited Facility (RSZ)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Big Cats
Animal:
Animal disposition:
Dead

Summary:

Shelton, WA – Twenty big cats have died after contracting bird flu at a Washington State animal sanctuary.

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington in the city of Shelton announced the deaths on December 20. Just two weeks prior, officials confirmed the presence of bird flu in the sanctuary, which forced the center to close and quarantine. The sanctuary included a full list of the cats who passed away, including Tabbi, a half-Bengal tiger; Crackle, an African caracal; Mouse, a Geoffroy’s cat; Pebbles, a Bengal cat; Thumper, a Eurasian lynx; cougars Hooligan, Holly, Harley and Hannah Wyoming; Canada lynx cats Chuckie and P’uch’ub; bobcats Digger, Willie Bob, Ruffian and Tank; and African servals Nile, Percival, Nefertiti, Blondie and Shasta.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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