Dozens of sandhill cranes found dead aong U.S. 50 in Jackson and Lawrence counties, likely due to bird flu

Dozens of sandhill cranes have been found dead along Highway 50 near Seymour and Brownstown. 

Cincinnati resident Catherine Greenwood was passing through the area Sunday when she shared photos on Facebook of nearly 35 dead birds in a pond. That post later went viral. 

WFIU/WTIU News confirmed the sighting on Tuesday afternoon. The numbers have risen since Greenwood’s post. 

Previous testing in Jackson County showed that other sandhill cranes and waterfowl tested positive for bird flu. Though the specific birds spotted in the ponds have yet to be tested, a representative with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said in a statement that it is likely they died of bird flu. 

The risk of bird flu to the general public is low, however people should be cautious not to interact with sick or dead birds. 

Read more: Sen. Young signs on to letter asking for more aggressive approach to bird flu