The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Washington is grieving the loss of 20 wild cats after a bird flu outbreak, which has also affected poultry farms, dairy cattle, and even some humans nationwide.

Located in Shelton, around 80 miles southwest of Seattle, the center declared a quarantine and is temporarily closed to the public to safeguard the remaining animals and prevent further spreading of the virus.

The cats that have succumbed to the outbreak include cougars, bobcats, and African servals.

The organization expressed its sorrow in a Facebook update, stating, “This tragedy has deeply affected our team, and we are all grieving the loss of these incredible animals.”

Sanctuary reports over 50% of big cats infected with bird flu

The sanctuary revealed that animal health authorities confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in more than half of the wild cats at the facility this month.

“Cats are especially at risk for this virus, which may present subtle symptoms initially but can rapidly escalate, often leading to death within 24 hours due to pneumonia-like conditions,” the organization explained.

The financial burden from medical care related to the outbreak has become significant, prompting the center to seek support from the community.

The sanctuary has not yet responded to YSL News’s inquiry for further comments as of Wednesday.

In its Facebook post regarding the cat fatalities, the center honored each individual animal by name, including Hannah the cougar and bobcats Willie Bob and Tank, stressing that all possible measures were taken to save them.

“Despite our best efforts, we have experienced substantial losses among our cherished residents,” the center stated.

5 animals die from bird flu at Arizona zoo

The death toll included two large cats and three birds—a cheetah, a mountain lion, a swamphen, a kookaburra, and an Indian goose—after contracting the virus, according to Jolene Westerling from the Wildlife World Zoo, as reported to YSL News.

Bird flu continues to spread in the US

So far, health authorities have confirmed 65 cases of bird flu in humans, although experts indicate that the actual number may be higher. Infections with the H5N1 bird flu in humans can present with symptoms like pink eye, fever, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny or stuffy nose, and shortness of breath, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Health officials have not recommended vaccines for bird flu, stating there is no significant evidence of human-to-human transmission, the number of infections is relatively low, and most cases have been mild.