Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary bracing for outbreak of bird flu in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - As we continue to monitor cases of bird flu in Nevada, a Valley sanctuary tells FOX5 all of its birds could be wiped out if the virus makes its way to Clark County.

FOX5 went to Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary, where we found out the are ducks living their best life. However, their lives are on the line, as dangers of the bird flu loom.

“Most likely if any of our ducks and geese, all of them would probably have to be put down just to stop that risk,” said Jennifer Langford, executive director of Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary.

That risk is very real, according to Langford.

Langford tells FOX5, their doctor from the USDA told her it is not a matter of ‘if’ the bird flu spreads to Nevada but a matter of ‘when’.

This is why Langford, with the help of a Eagle Scout built huts.

The ducks usually go into their enclosure at night, however if the bird flu hits Clark County all the ducks would be on lock down in their own quarters indefinitely.

“The thing about the bird flu its very contagious so its not just going to be one, getting it, it’s going to be all of them,” Langford said.

Washing off boots is also vital after visiting each enclosure. This is because the sanctuary is wide open and all it will take is a wild bird to fly over and drop their infected feces.

“It can be spread to feces, saliva mucus but the biggest thing is feces from wild bird,” Langford said.

It is not just the ducks that are risk but all the birds at the sanctuary, ranging from the ostrich, to parrots and other exotic birds.

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