LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —With the uptick in migration, officials with Operation Wildlife, the largest publicly funded wildlife rehabilitation facility in Kansas reported on their social media account over the weekend they been receiving calls on "geese falling out of the sky."
The majority of these have been snow geese (40) in the last 3 days. The organization reported calls over the weekend from Atchison, Overland Park, Olathe, Lawrence, Tonganoxie, Kansas City Kansas, Shawnee and Clinton Lake.
The birds may show signs of injury when brought in but rapidly decline and exhibit symptoms of avian influenza Sudden death: Without any prior signs of illness.
Swelling: Of the eyelids, head; Difficulty breathing: open mouth, wheezing, nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing: Birds may have blood-tinged discharge; Neurological impairment: Birds may lack coordination, have tremors, seizures, or have a twisted neck
Other symptoms: Birds may stumble or fall down, have diarrhea, have a hunched appearance, or have ruffled feathers and die within a few hours or a day of intake.
The organization reported they are not admitting geese to their facility at this time as this is a highly contagious disease that is spread by respiration, fecal matter and contact and they must protect the birds already in our care at risk.
There is no treatment for birds with avian flu and the kindest thing that can happen is for them to be euthanized so they don't suffer needlessly.
Operation Wildlife has reached out to Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and other animal control agencies across the Kansas City metro for help.
If you come across one of these animals please report it as soon as possible or call Operation Wildlife and they will direct you with whom to contact. If you have chickens, ducks, parrots, etc you can use Lysol spray on your clothing and shoes to disinfect yourselves so you don't take it home to your animals.
For more information click here for the latest bird flu statistics and answers to questions on how to respond if you come across a sick goose.