The Avian Influenza virus has been discovered at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca, NY.

DEC said 500 of their breeder flock of 6,600 pheasants died from the initial outbreak of the virus, and the remainder had to be euthanized.

DEC spokesperson Lori Severino said that the DEC began investigating suspicious pheasant deaths at the Game Farm on March 20th and eventually confirmed the virus outbreak.

DEC immediately began working with animal health experts at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

The Game Farm was put under quarantine following positive test results from Cornell University on March 21st. A 120-day quarantine period for the farm will be required. 

The DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife owns and operates the Reynolds Game Farm, which is the state’s only pheasant production facility. It has been in operation since 1927. The Reynolds Game Farm propagates and distributes pheasants statewide and supports the popular Day-Old-Chick program. It is New York’s only facility for raising pheasants.

DEC stocks pheasants during the fall of the year at different locations throughout the state, including the special youth hunting weekends. It was not mentioned if there will be possible pheasant replacements.

Pheasants are raised at the farm and later released as adults to help meet the demand for pheasant hunting opportunities as wild populations have dwindled in New York, mainly due to the loss of habitat. Programs like the Day-Old-Chicks help complete the process and get pheasants in the field for hunting seasons.

The Centers for Disease Control have stated that the Avian Influenza virus has accounted for the deaths of over 6,467 wild birds in the United States and has been detected in several New York counties. Most recently the death of a bald eagle in New York was attributed to the virus. It has also hit the U.S. poultry industry hard, accounting for 58,643,311 poultry losses. 

NY DEC Campground Bookings!

NY DEC recently announced changes to reservations at DEC campgrounds for this camping season and made it easier for campers to make last-minute bookings. Reservations are required, and now can be booked as late as 5 pm on the desired day of arrival. 

For more information on DEC operated campgrounds, including a list of campgrounds and schedules, visit:  dec.ny.gov/outdoor/camping.html or call DEC’s Bureau of Recreation at 518-457-2500.