Test results showed two snowy owls found dead in Tommy Thompson Park late last year were infected with “highly pathogenic” avian flu, the Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority said.
The TRCA cannot confirm that the avian flu was H5N1, Karen McDonald, senior manager of restoration and infrastructure for the agency, said in a statement Friday.
“All we know is that this is a highly pathogenic avian flu, which has been showing up across North America for the past few years. This is worrisome because it is an infectious virus that causes high mortality in infected animals,” TRCA said in a statement. .
Wildlife photographer Steven Shpak, who posted to the Beauty of the Dawn Facebook group, reported the death of snowy owls on December 27, 2024. According to the photographer, the owls were vomiting blood before they died.
On its website, the federal government says: “Influenza A (H5N1) is a subtype of avian influenza virus that primarily infects birds, but has been identified in other animals and has caused rare and sporadic infections in humans.”
TRCA said it is monitoring Tommy Thompson Park for other sick and dead birds. If members of the public see any sick or dead birds, they are asked to report them to TRCA and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
If the bird is still alive and accessible from land, such as on a shoreline, members of the public should report the sighting to the Toronto Wildlife Centre, says the TRCA.
Reports should include species, exact location, approximate GPS coordinates or map, number of birds, date and time they were found, and photographs, if possible.
“The public is reminded to avoid contact with sick or dead birds or other wildlife to avoid possible exposure to avian flu. Do not touch, feed or handle them,” TRCA said.
