Nova Scotia animal rehab raises money for avian influenza quarantine space
As cases of avian influenza mount in the Maritimes, the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Brookfield, N.S., is raising money to build a space for birds to quarantine.
Avian influenza H5N1, is a highly pathogenic disease that affects a bird’s respiratory tract, and can eventually kill them — in the past few months, cases have been reported in every Maritime province.
“It’s very important that we have a room where they can be comfortable,” said wildlife operations manager Brenda Boates. “It would make it so much more efficient for us to work with these poor sick birds.”
The group is hoping to raise $7,000 to have a building delivered and set up.
Boates says when new birds arrive to the centre they need to be isolated, sometimes for as long as 30 days. Adding that isolation is necessary because the disease is spread by contact.
“That means through feces, touching the bird, if the bird coughs or sneezes,” said Boates.
An intake process that used to be relatively simple, Boates says, has turned into a more complicated affair.
“Now when the birds come, we get a call ahead of time, the birds are brought to us by the department of natural resources and renewables. We are donning full PPE,” she said.
The group is currently using a modified garage to isolate the birds.
Donations to the fundraising campaign can be made by visiting the Canada Helps website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.