The Eurasian strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) has been detected in two mountain lions in California in recent months, wildlife health experts confirmed this week.
In a March 28 news release, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said that while additional disease testing is currently being conducted to rule out the possibility of co-infections, avian influenza is suspected to be the cause of death for both mountain lions.
The remains of the mountain lions, a mother and daughter, were collected in Mono County on Dec. 23, 2022, and Jan. 14, 2023, and samples were submitted to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in Davis for preliminary testing, officials said….