Bird Flu Kills Hundreds Of Vultures At Georgia Sanctuary: Officials

LOCUST GROVE, GA — Hundreds of vultures died recently after contracting bird flu at Noah's Ark, an animal sanctuary in Georgia, according to officials.

Over 700 wild black vultures have been found dead at the sanctuary, which is located south of Atlanta in Henry County, according to state Sen. Emanuel Jones, a Democrat representing the 10th District.

Many bird species at the sanctuary, including ostriches, emus and parrots, will have to be euthanized "in the near future," according to Jones.

State officials have set up a 6-mile perimeter around the sanctuary to help prevent the spread of the virus, Jones said.

Jones said in a statement he is "deeply saddened" by the damage caused at the sanctuary and vowed to bring awareness and support to the shelter as it deals with the outbreak.

In response to the dying birds, the sanctuary reached out to the state Department of Agriculture, which took samples from wild black vultures Friday. Tests confirmed the presence of H5N1, the latest strain of bird flu, officials announced Monday.

The risk of infections in humans from bird flu remains low, according to the agency.

Noah's Ark will be closed through Sept. 3, according to the organization's website.

Noah's Ark and the Georgia Department of Agriculture did not immediately return inquiries from Patch.