Wildlife officials urge DougCo residents to report wild bird deaths

Photo byRalphs_Photos

Natasha Lovato / NewsBreak Denver

(Douglas County, Colo.) As record rates of avian flu persist in Colorado, South Suburban Parks and Recreation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials ask residents to report dead wild birds.

Park officials want to remove the dead birds from public areas with healthy birds and other wildlife to help contain the virus.

If natural scavengers such as eagles, hawks, foxes, or coyotes eat the contaminated animals, they could also die or spread the virus.

The Center for Disease Control’s latest report from Jan. 25 shows nearly 6,000 wild birds have contracted avian flu since the beginning of the year nationwide, and two avian flu cases were reported in Douglas County.

Humans rarely contract avian flu. Only one case has been reported nationally since April 28, 2022.

To help contain the spread of avian flu, officials recommend taking the following steps if they see dead animals or observe wild birds like geese exhibiting strange behavior:

1. Stay away from dead or infected animals.
2. Report the situation with as much detailed information as possible to park rangers by phone at 303-435-8227 or email at rangers@ssprd.org.
3. Residents can also make reports to CPW at 303-297-1192.​