( NewsNation ) — An animal sanctuary in Washington state is mourning the loss of half its wild cat population after a bird flu outbreak.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton, Washington, about 80 miles west of Seattle, cares for displaced wild felines, such as cougars, bobcats, servals, tigers, lynxes and more. The nonprofit lost 20 cats since November. Animal health officials confirmed the cause was avian influenza, according to their Facebook.
Bird flu , or avian influenza, is a contagious disease that spreads through contact with a sick bird or respiratory secretions…