Bird flu devastates sandhill crane population in Indiana, raising alarm for wildlife conservation

A devastating outbreak of avian flu has led to the deaths of more than 1,500 iconic sandhill cranes in Indiana, marking one of the largest recorded bird die-offs from the virus in recent years. Wildlife officials and volunteers are working tirelessly to mitigate the spread of this highly contagious disease, which poses a growing threat to both wild and domestic bird populations across the United States.

Residents in Indiana, particularly in Laporte County, have witnessed the heartbreaking impact of the outbreak firsthand. Sean Leone, a local resident, described the shocking sight of cranes perishing before his eyes. “I’ve never seen anything like this. One or two dead birds, yes, but not hundreds. I literally saw 45 of them die in front of my house,” Leone recounted.

Volunteers, equipped with protective masks and gloves, have been retrieving the lifeless birds from shorelines, marshes, and ponds in an effort to reduce the risk to pets and children. Indiana state officials have confirmed that the flu is responsible for the crane deaths, and other species, including ducks and geese, have also been affected.

Sandhill cranes are the most populous crane species in the United States and a major attraction for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Their annual migrations draw thousands of tourists to the Midwest. However, the rapid spread of avian flu has raised concerns about its potential impact on the already endangered whooping crane population.

Avian flu is not a new phenomenon, but this outbreak is proving particularly destructive. The virus, which has existed in the environment for decades, has been responsible for the deaths of millions of birds. Since the beginning of the outbreak, an estimated 144 million commercially raised chickens and 18.6 million turkeys have been affected. The virus has also taken a toll on commercially bred ducks, gamebirds, and backyard poultry, with a staggering total of more than 166 million domestic birds impacted.

In addition to poultry, the virus has spread to wildlife, having been detected in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It has infected more than 40 wild mammal species, including foxes, harbor seals, skunks, and bears. The flu even made its way to dairy cows for the first time in March of last year, prompting concerns about potential human exposure. While pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption, the detection of the virus in dairy herds across 17 states has led to increased testing measures.

To date, at least one human fatality has been linked to the virus in the United States, fueling fears that it could mutate into a more dangerous strain for humans.

In the absence of state-led clean-up efforts, local volunteers have taken matters into their own hands. Leone and other community members have been using rowboats to retrieve the dead birds, double-bagging them in trash bags and disposing of them in rented dumpsters. “The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said they weren’t worried about the virus spreading to fish, but my biggest concern was leaving them there knowing they have a virus,” Leone explained. “With so many kids and pets around, I didn’t want them getting exposed.”

Dr. Diana Boon, director of conservation medicine at the Wisconsin-based International Crane Foundation, emphasized the heightened risk this outbreak poses to the critically endangered whooping cranes. While there are approximately 827,000 sandhill cranes in the U.S., the global whooping crane population is estimated to be only around 834 individuals, including those in captivity.

“The sandhill and whooping cranes often share habitat with ducks and geese, which are also getting infected,” Boon explained. “If even a small number of whooping cranes contract the virus, it could have a devastating impact on the population.”

The risk extends beyond the U.S., as mass die-offs of cranes due to bird flu have already been reported in other countries, including Israel, Japan, and Hungary. In Hungary alone, between 10,000 and 20,000 Eurasian cranes succumbed to the virus in the winter of 2023.

The rapid spread of avian flu underscores the need for continued research and intervention to protect both wildlife and domestic animals. Conservationists and public health experts are closely monitoring the situation, as the virus’s ability to infect multiple species raises concerns about its potential long-term impact.

While the immediate focus remains on containing the current outbreak, experts warn that preventing future crises will require sustained efforts, including better monitoring of migratory birds, enhanced biosecurity measures for poultry farms, and ongoing research into potential vaccines. For now, local volunteers and wildlife organizations remain on the front lines, battling the devastating effects of a virus that continues to reshape ecosystems and threaten vulnerable species.