Two endangered whooping cranes found dead in fields near Saskatoon this fall tested positive for avian influenza, the first time the virus has been detected in the species’ wild bird population. This whooping crane's carcass was sent to Saskatoon's Western College of Veterinary Medicine, where pathologists confirmed avian flu. A member of the public found another dead crane about 100 kilometres northwest of the first, just as test results were confirming avian flu killed the first whooping crane. The second whooping crane was found about 100 kilometres away from the first dead bird. In September, a captive whooping crane in a Wisconsin breeding program died and was confirmed to have avian flu.

Source: CBC News January 14, 2026 04:49 UTC