A sanctuary in Washington state, the Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington, recently faced a devastating blow as 20 big cats succumbed to bird flu over the course of several weeks. This tragic event, which accounted for more than half of the facility's population, has left the center reeling from the loss.
The sanctuary, located in Shelton, approximately 22 miles northwest of Olympia, announced the deaths on Facebook, expressing shock and sorrow over the unexpected turn of events. The center's director and co-founder described the situation as a 'nightmare,' emphasizing that such a widespread outbreak was unforeseen, especially given the spacious layout of the facility spread across five acres.