Bird Flu Hits Migrating Cranes Hard in Germany
Volunteers in protective gear collect dead cranes as bird flu spreads rapidly across the country.
In a small village called Linum, located about an hour's travel from Berlin, volunteers have been recovering nearly 2,000 dead cranes in recent days due to the outbreak of bird flu.
This village is known for its popular resting spot for thousands of cranes during their migration between the Baltic and Nordic regions and southern Europe.
However, this month, many of these birds' journeys have ended tragically in ponds and fields near Linum and other parts of Germany.
Bird flu has flared up early and quickly in Germany this year, with 30 outbreaks recorded since early September at poultry farms across various parts of the country.
As a precautionary measure, over 500,000 chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys have been slaughtered so far.
Over the past week, cranes have become the center of attention due to the severity of the impact caused by bird flu on these majestic birds.
It is unclear where exactly they were infected.
Norbert Schneeweiss, an expert from Brandenburg state's environment office, mentioned that a similar situation occurred among cranes in Hungary two years ago.
Volunteers wearing full-body protective overalls have been wading through water and reeds to collect the limp, floating bodies of the large birds into sacks.
A sick bird could be seen standing listlessly by a nearby path without attempting to fly away as people approached.
Other birds were observed staggering and then collapsing.
Despite this, healthy cranes continued to fly overhead and peck for food in the fields.
By Monday evening, volunteers had collected 1,875 dead cranes and expected the total to exceed 2,000 over the coming days.
Schneeweiss mentioned that there isn't much more they can do at this location other than gather the birds.
He also noted efforts made by experts to make the area less attractive for migrating birds by limiting water flow and reducing the size of the resting area, as resting places are rare in Central Europe.
In previous years, guided tours were organized for bird enthusiasts to witness the natural spectacle of thousands of cranes flying in each evening.
However, these tours have been canceled due to the current situation.
Schneeweiss stated that the situation appears under control locally for now, with a decrease in the number of dead cranes and no other wild birds exhibiting symptoms yet.
The task of collecting the birds is emotionally challenging for volunteers like Lara Weinmann, who mentioned that although they try to convince themselves of doing something good for conservation, it does have an effect on them.
Bird flu infections in humans are relatively rare; however, as it affects other species, including some mammals, scientists fear that the virus could evolve and spread more easily among people.
This village is known for its popular resting spot for thousands of cranes during their migration between the Baltic and Nordic regions and southern Europe.
However, this month, many of these birds' journeys have ended tragically in ponds and fields near Linum and other parts of Germany.
Bird flu has flared up early and quickly in Germany this year, with 30 outbreaks recorded since early September at poultry farms across various parts of the country.
As a precautionary measure, over 500,000 chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys have been slaughtered so far.
Over the past week, cranes have become the center of attention due to the severity of the impact caused by bird flu on these majestic birds.
It is unclear where exactly they were infected.
Norbert Schneeweiss, an expert from Brandenburg state's environment office, mentioned that a similar situation occurred among cranes in Hungary two years ago.
Volunteers wearing full-body protective overalls have been wading through water and reeds to collect the limp, floating bodies of the large birds into sacks.
A sick bird could be seen standing listlessly by a nearby path without attempting to fly away as people approached.
Other birds were observed staggering and then collapsing.
Despite this, healthy cranes continued to fly overhead and peck for food in the fields.
By Monday evening, volunteers had collected 1,875 dead cranes and expected the total to exceed 2,000 over the coming days.
Schneeweiss mentioned that there isn't much more they can do at this location other than gather the birds.
He also noted efforts made by experts to make the area less attractive for migrating birds by limiting water flow and reducing the size of the resting area, as resting places are rare in Central Europe.
In previous years, guided tours were organized for bird enthusiasts to witness the natural spectacle of thousands of cranes flying in each evening.
However, these tours have been canceled due to the current situation.
Schneeweiss stated that the situation appears under control locally for now, with a decrease in the number of dead cranes and no other wild birds exhibiting symptoms yet.
The task of collecting the birds is emotionally challenging for volunteers like Lara Weinmann, who mentioned that although they try to convince themselves of doing something good for conservation, it does have an effect on them.
Bird flu infections in humans are relatively rare; however, as it affects other species, including some mammals, scientists fear that the virus could evolve and spread more easily among people.
