A Scottish animal charity has made the tough decision to stop accepting injured and sick wild birds in the hopes of slowing the spread of Avian flu. The Scottish SPCA has announced that the doors of their rescue centres are shut for new patients and are urging the public not to bring any birds that they find to the charity's facilities.
The animal welfare group have said that the measures are temporary but essential to minimise the risk of an outbreak and protect the 700 birds housed at its National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Clackmannanshire. Staff are concerned that the Avian Flu's incubation period of two to eight days means it could take several days to notice the symptoms of the disease - allowing it to spread freely.
It comes as wild seabird and waterfowl populations have been decimated across Scotland. Images have appeared in recent weeks of puffins, gannets and other wild birds washing up on Scottish shores.
