(NewsReady.com) – Every year, about 500,000 cranes migrate through Israel on their way to Africa. Thousands of birds stay behind in the country annually, and while that’s usually okay, this year, it may have led to the animals’ deaths.
More than 5,000 cranes have fallen ill and died in Israel this year. A bird flu outbreak is sweeping across the country, leaving devastation in its wake. Farmers have had to kill half a million chickens in the hope of stopping the disease from spreading, but preventative measures have been unsuccessful so far.
Thousands of cranes have been killed by a bird flu outbreak in Israel. It's the biggest wildlife disaster in the country's history. pic.twitter.com/utMfa8hHbX
— DW News (@dwnews) December 27, 2021
Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg told reporters the bird flu crisis is causing “the most serious damage to wildlife in the history of the country.” She went on to say it’s unclear how far the damage has spread; presumably, Zandberg will know more in the coming days.
Officials with the environmental agency are trying to clean up the dead birds to prevent other animals from contracting the disease. Bodies of water pose a challenge in completing the task. Many of the dead animals are in the water, making it more difficult to remove them.
Will the illness spread beyond Israel, and what are the chances it will negatively impact the already strained supply chain? What do you think?
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