The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Stroudsburg is helping to collect birds that have died from avian influenza, or bird flu.

The center is also assisting with the euthanization of infected birds, according to a post on its Facebook.

“The numbers are now well into the hundreds that we’ve collected and have had come into our center,” the center posted on Facebook.

The center noted that it is preparing for a “mass cleanup” today. It is asking the public for its help.

“We unfortunately, have to pay out a pocket to have all of these bodies disposed of,” it noted. “We are a (nonprofit organization) and we receive no government funding.”

It noted that it will pay for an agency to cremate the dead birds to assure no further cross contamination, and is paying for all personal protective equipment.

Videos show bird bodies’ floating in water and lying on the ground. On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported that hundreds of snow geese were found dead in the greater Allentown area, likely due to the bird flu.

Donations can be sent to The Wilderz at Pocono Wildlife, 1161 Cherry Dr., Stroudsburg PA 18360.

The center is also asking for items including disinfectant cleaner, Hazmat suits and disposable shoe and boot covers. A complete list is available on Facebook.

Due to the outbreak, the center will not be allowing any visitors.

It also asks that if anyone has a sick bird, to contact the center first with an arrival time. The birds will be collected from the vehicles of those who bring them.

“There is NO CURE and this is a slow terrible death for the species it can directly effect. (Snow Geese, Canada geese, corvids and birds of prey),” according to the post.

It notes that it is the only local center collecting specimens and accepting species to prevent further suffering.

— Jill Whalen