A case of Avian Flu at the sanctuary lead the Animal and Plant Health Agency to carry out the cull.
The Animal & Plant Health Agency said last week that a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 had been confirmed at a premises near Whitby and a 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been put in place.
In a post on social media the team at Whitby Animal Sanctuary confirmed that the case had been confirmed in a bird they were lookign after.
"We are heartbroken to confirm that avian influenza has been found at the sanctuary.
Bird flu is highly contagious and easily spread. Many rescues, vets and sanctuaries stop admitting birds altogether during an outbreak because it’s so hard to contain. We had followed all guidance and rules to allow us to continue our work as we are the only rescue of its kind in this area. The precautions we had in place included foot baths at all entrances, isolation units to quarantine birds on arrival and not accepting birds from known hotpots or High risk areas as well as limited access to the isolation unit, avian flu precautions documentation and guidance for all volunteers to follow and use of PPE.
We recently accepted a group of dumped cockerels, for which we had no history on these abandoned animals. Unfortunately it seems someone else’s negligence has cost us dearly. Those birds died within our isolation unit shortly after arrival. We had to report those deaths and send their bodies for testing. Within 24 hours, it was confirmed they had avian influenza and now the rest of the birds within our isolation unit have been euthanised by APHA. "
In a second post the Sanctuary say it was not their choice to cull the birds but was a decision taken by the APHA.
"We can unfortunately confirm that all birds on site have been culled by APHA. Despite what some news outlets are broadcasting this was in no way our choice and we fought extensively to protect all of the animals in our care. There was no signs of disease in any of the wild birds here, all of them were away from the infected area and were covered over with their own biosecurity in place. However APHA deemed it too risky to spare any of them. As we have learnt this week a negative test result does not save a bird from being culled."
"We don’t know yet when we can allow volunteers back on site, nor when we can resume our usual work... Both of these are at the discretion of APHA. We will post another update when we can."
When avian influenza is confirmed or suspected in poultry or other captive birds, disease control zones are put in place around the infected premises to prevent the spread of the disease. Within these zones a range of restrictions on the movement of poultry and material associated with their keeping can apply.
The affected areas can be seen on this Interactive Map
The APHA say the risk to public health from the outbreak is considered very low.
The public are advised not to touch or pick up dead or sick birds and instead to report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.
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