An organization dedicated to animal welfare in Prince George, B.C., has been providing nasal naloxone to crows suspected of ingesting harmful substances left in the open in the city center. The Good Caws Crow Rescue Society (GCCRS) has shared videos demonstrating their volunteers administering nasal naloxone to unresponsive crows, with the birds subsequently becoming alert and capable of flying again.
According to Dayna Slater from GCCRS, the crows they are assisting are concentrated in an area where illicit drug activity is prevalent. She expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the convergence of various factors contributing to the issue.
Slater noted a significant increase in suspected drug overdoses among crows this year, surpassing previous years’ numbers. Describing the symptoms observed in affected crows, she mentioned their wings spread out, closed eyes, slowed heartbeat, and some exhibiting a brown liquid foam from their beaks.
Although some crows have unfortunately perished, many have been successfully rehabilitated and released within a day. Dr. Kaitlyn Liukaitis from the Birchwood Veterinary Clinic, involved in treating the affected crows, confirmed that their symptoms align with those of a toxic drug overdose, emphasizing the effectiveness of naloxone in reversing these effects.
The rise in drug toxicity in various cities across British Columbia has led to public warnings, with Prince George experiencing a surge in overdose calls, resulting in a constant presence of sirens downtown where the affected crows are found. Outreach groups have highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with addiction in accessing safer alternatives due to restrictions on harm reduction measures.
Slater mentioned collaborating with harm reduction organizations to identify crows experiencing overdoses and utilizing expired naloxone kits provided by these groups to aid in the rescue efforts. She emphasized that the crows’ plight reflects broader societal issues rather than intentional harm towards the birds.
The suspected source of the toxic substances affecting the crows is believed to be accessible garbage in the downtown area. Slater recommended using covered garbage cans to prevent crows from accessing potentially harmful materials disposed of improperly.
She stressed the importance of addressing environmental factors contributing to the situation, emphasizing that even small amounts of toxic substances can have a significant impact on birds like crows.