In the quaint town of Dawlish, an aviary brimming with life faces a heartbreaking decision. Recently, Dawlish Town Council confirmed that several birds in the cherished Dawlish Waterfowl Aviary tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The counsel's difficult resolution to cull these birds as a preventative measure is deeply stirring, particularly for those of us who cherish the rich biodiversity and joy that these birds bring to the community. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8ey01llykeo
Email the council. https://www.dawlish.gov.uk/
And email Animal and Plant Health Agency. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-apha
Also contact the Prime Minister Kier Starmer. https://contact.no10.gov.uk/
It's easy to resort to culling in response to positive cases of bird flu, as has been done elsewhere. However, there's an alternative path, one that doesn't replicate the actions taken in countries like Canada, where the automatic response has often been to implement widespread culling. Such actions can irrevocably impact the ecological balance and overlook potential longer-term solutions like quarantine and efforts to foster natural immunity among the birds.
Quarantining the infected birds to study and observe natural immunity can offer long-term benefits. Not only would this approach protect the current population, but it might also provide valuable insights into dealing with avian influenza outbreaks in the future. This method would be less disruptive to the ecosystem and kinder to the bird population as a whole.
Every life matters, and the uniqueness of Dawlish's Waterfowl Aviary is irreplaceable. We request that logical alternatives like effective quarantining measures and immunity studies be explored before proceeding with the irreversible decision of culling. Let's protect the legacy and future of our cherished birds.
Join us in urging Dawlish Town Council and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to reconsider their decision and explore humane alternatives that don't involve culling. By signing this petition, you are advocating for sensitive, effective, and sustainable solutions to safeguard our wildlife. Please sign and share this petition with others who love and care for the beauty of our aviary and its habitants.
