Massive Bird Flu Outbreak Kills 1,500 Sandhill Cranes

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Bird Flu Claims Over 1,500 Sandhill Cranes in Indiana, Officials Confirm

A deadly bird flu outbreak has killed more than 1,500 sandhill cranes in Indiana, marking one of the largest avian die-offs in at least three years. Volunteers, wearing masks and gloves, have been working tirelessly to collect the 15-pound birds from shorelines, marshes, and ponds to minimize the risk to pets and children.

The outbreak has shocked local residents and raised concerns about the potential spread to other species, including the endangered whooping crane. Sandhill cranes, one of the most abundant crane species in the U.S., are a major draw for tourists, with thousands flocking to the Midwest annually to see them.

Sean Leone, a 48-year-old resident of Upper Fish Lake in LaPorte County, Indiana, described the devastation. “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,” he said. “It’s sad to watch.”

While not every dead crane has been tested, Indiana officials have confirmed avian flu as the cause. Leone noted that dozens of geese and ducks have also died.

Migratory Birds and the Spread of Avian Flu

Sandhill cranes migrate annually, spending winters in warmer regions like Mexico and Texas before traveling as far north as Alaska. Along the way, they stop to feed in grain and cornfields. Scientists say migratory birds, particularly wetland species, play a significant role in spreading the virus.

The current outbreak was first detected in gulls in Newfoundland, Canada, in November 2021. By 2022, the virus had spread along migratory routes, including the Missouri River basin.

Widespread Impact on Birds and Wildlife

Avian flu has been present in the environment for decades, but the current outbreak has been particularly devastating. Since it began, approximately 144 million commercially raised chickens and 18.6 million turkeys have been affected, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Over 124 million of these were egg-laying chickens.

The virus has also impacted millions of ducks, gamebirds, and backyard poultry, with more than 166.1 million domestic birds affected nationwide. It has been detected in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and 40 wild mammal species across 36 states, killing bears, foxes, seals, and skunks, among others.

In March 2024, the virus was found in dairy cows for the first time, prompting increased testing to ensure the safety of milk. While pasteurized milk is considered safe, the virus has been detected in dairy herds in 17 states.

Human Health Concerns

The virus has caused at least one human death in the U.S., and experts worry it could mutate to become more dangerous to people.

Community Efforts to Contain the Outbreak

Leone and other volunteers have been using rowboats to collect dead birds, double-bagging them in trash bags and disposing of them in rented dumpsters. Despite state officials stating they do not typically collect dead birds, Leone organized a community cleanup to protect local children and pets.

“The DNR said they weren’t worried about infecting fish or anything in the water, but my biggest concern was leaving the birds there knowing they carry a virus,” Leone said. “With so many kids and pets around, I didn’t want them exposed.”

Threat to Endangered Whooping Cranes

The sandhill crane deaths have also raised alarms about the endangered whooping crane. While there are an estimated 827,000 sandhill cranes in the U.S., only about 834 whooping cranes remain globally, including those in captivity.

Dr. Diana Boon, director of conservation medicine at the International Crane Foundation, emphasized the risk. “Sandhill and whooping cranes share habitats and migratory pathways with other waterfowl that are also getting infected,” she said. “If the virus reaches whooping cranes, even a small number of deaths could have a devastating impact on their population.”

Mass crane die-offs have occurred in other countries, including Israel, Japan, and Hungary, where up to 20,000 Eurasian cranes died in late 2023.

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