An organization dedicated to animal welfare in downtown Prince George, B.C., has been providing nasal naloxone to crows believed to have ingested harmful substances left accessible outdoors. The Good Caws Crow Rescue Society (GCCRS) has shared videos demonstrating their volunteers administering nasal naloxone to unresponsive crows, with subsequent footage showing the birds becoming alert and capable of flying again.
Dayna Slater from GCCRS mentioned that the crows they are assisting are concentrated in an area known for illicit drug activity, expressing concern over the situation. She described the distressing symptoms observed in the affected crows, including closed eyes, slowed heartbeat, and unresponsiveness, with some exhibiting brown liquid foam from their beaks.
Despite encountering a rise in suspected drug overdoses among crows this year, with more than a dozen cases recorded so far, the society has managed to release most of the rehabilitated birds within 24 hours. Dr. Kaitlyn Liukaitis from the Birchwood Veterinary Clinic, who has treated some of the crows, confirmed that the symptoms align with those of toxic drug overdose in animals and noted the effectiveness of naloxone in reversing these effects.
The surge in toxic substances in the illegal drug supply has prompted public warnings across British Columbia, including in Prince George, where overdose calls have significantly increased. As harm reduction efforts face opposition, outreach groups emphasize the importance of safe spaces for drug use to prevent incidents like the crows’ exposure to toxic substances.
Collaborating with harm reduction organizations, Slayter underscored the need for better waste management to prevent crows from accessing hazardous materials inadvertently discarded in outdoor areas. She emphasized the importance of covered garbage cans to deter crows from coming into contact with harmful substances and advocated for a more environmentally conscious approach to waste disposal in urban settings.