The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is temporarily suspending the Puffin Patrol Program, based in Witless Bay, over concerns of bird flu.
“Due to the uncertainty of the Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), and for the safety of residents and volunteers, we have decided to temporarily suspend the program for the public this summer,” said CPAWS NL Conservation Director Suzanne Dooley in a news release. “We want to ensure the safety of all participants and local residents and until we know more details, we had to make this decision.”
CPAWS reminds folks that if you see a dead, injured, or sick bird, do not touch it, but instead, report it to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
Residents are also asked to report sightings of puffin strandings to Puffin & Petrel Patrol NL.
Over the last decade, volunteers with the Puffin Patrol program have rescued over 4,000 stranded juvenile puffins. All birds rescued are assessed and banded by the Canadian Wildlife Services (CWS) and released back to sea.
