(UPDATE) The waterfowl round-up scheduled for later this month has been canceled due to a goose at Gibson Park testing positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.
City of Great Falls officials said in a news release that the goose was exhibiting signs of illness at the time that it was located. Two people who made contact with the goose were tested for the bird flu, and results were negative. The virus has also recently been identified in birds in other areas of the state.
The HPAI virus has been identified in birds and mammals across Montana and the U.S. since 2022.
The news release says that no HPAI infections have ever been reported among humans in Montana. Human HPAI infections are rare but have generally occurred after close and prolonged contact with infected animals or the excretions/secretions of infected animals.
People should avoid handling animals that appear sick or that are exhibiting abnormal behaviors and should take precautions when handling game birds.
Great Falls Park & Recreation has posted signs in Gibson Park reminding people to refrain from touching birds. Park & Recreation employees are also using personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling birds, as instructed by a wildlife veterinarian. Although human HPAI infections are rare, the annual waterfowl roundup at Gibson Park has been canceled out of an abundance of caution for the public and Park & Recreation employees.
Park & Recreation is working with a wildlife veterinarian to determine the safest time to move the Gibson Park birds indoors for the winter, as the virus is often brought in by birds who only visit the park for a short time (and don’t live in the park)
(1st REPORT) A sure sign of the season - the annual roundup of waterfowl at Gibson Pond in Great Falls! This year it will be on Friday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m.
Each year in October, several city workers put on their waders and pick up rakes to walk around in the pond, nudging the flightless birds toward a pen.
They are then loaded onto a truck and driven to the north side of the park and released inside their winter quarters, often referred to as the "Honker Hilton."
Video from October 2021:
During the colder months, the birds are kept inside for their own safety as many have clipped wings.
Park & Recreation staff care for the birds throughout the winter. The birds also have an indoor pond inside their winter residence.
For more information, please call Park and Recreation office at 406-771-1265.
