An organization focused on animal welfare in downtown Prince George, B.C., has been administering nasal naloxone to crows suspected of ingesting toxic substances left accessible outdoors. The Good Caws Crow Rescue Society (GCCRS) has shared videos of their volunteers providing nasal naloxone to unresponsive crows, resulting in the birds becoming alert and able to fly again.
According to Dayna Slater from GCCRS, the crows being assisted are concentrated in an area where illicit drug use is prevalent. The organization has observed a concerning increase in suspected drug overdoses among crows this year, with more than a dozen cases recorded, compared to one or two in previous years.
Describing the symptoms displayed by affected crows, Slater mentioned that they exhibit slowed heartbeats, closed eyes, spread-out wings, and some even have brown liquid foam coming from their beaks. While some crows have unfortunately died, most have been successfully released after recovering within 24 hours.
Dr. Kaitlyn Liukaitis from the Birchwood Veterinary Clinic, who has treated some of the affected crows, confirmed that the symptoms align with those of a toxic drug overdose. She noted that using naloxone to reverse the symptoms is a common practice in veterinary care for various animals.
The rise in drug toxicity in British Columbia has led to numerous public warnings across cities, including Prince George, where overdose calls have tripled at times. As harm reduction measures face political opposition, outreach groups emphasize the importance of safe indoor spaces for drug consumption to prevent incidents like the crows’ exposure to toxic substances.
Slater mentioned collaborating with harm reduction groups to identify crows experiencing suspected overdoses and utilizing expired naloxone kits provided by these groups to assist the affected birds. She emphasized that the overdoses are likely a result of broader societal issues rather than intentional harm to the birds.
To address the problem, Slater suggested implementing more covered garbage cans to prevent crows from accessing potentially harmful materials mixed in with waste left outdoors. She highlighted the need for preventive measures, as even a tiny amount of a toxic substance can adversely affect birds like crows.
