KKL-JNF, in collaboration with the relevant government ministries, has established a special center to fight the avian influenza and save the lives of the birds. The virus is common throughout the world for many years, and during the 2021/2022 winter there was an outbreak that took out millions of birds, especially water birds that fly in groups as pelicans, charadriiformes, seagulls, cormorants and more. The outbreak also took the lives of thousands of cranes at the Hula Lake.
During the 2023-2024, the virus was found in a number of turkey chicken coops in central Israel, and also in a number of seagulls in the area. In the past few days, a crane tested positive for the H5N1 influenza at the Lehavot HaBashan area, north of the lake.
The KKL-JNF Center's Plan to Reduce the Avian Influenza's Damage at the Hula Lake
Since the 2021/2022 outbreak, there is constant monitoring and checking of injured or dead birds found at the lake. Monitoring and checking have increased recently, in light of the stormy weather and the presence of the virus in Israel and in the lake's area. The KKL-JNF staff at the Hula Lake maintains contact with all the relevant professional parties.
While the Hula Lake is closed to visitors due to the ongoing security situation, farmers and military personal pass through it. Due to the fear of outbreak, all the gates leading to the lake area are closed, and entrance to it is tightly supervised, with each vehicle coming in or out going through disinfection to prevent spreading of the virus.
Since the virus' preferred habitat is water in low temperature, KKL-JNF make sure that there will be constant streaming and change of water in the lake and its immediate area. Feeding the cranes is part of the "Cranes Project" aimed at keeping the agricultural fields safe. Feeding is done by the famers and with the permission of Israel's Nature and Parks Authority.
Efi Na'im, KKL-JNF manager of the Hula Lake area and the center's integrator: "KKL-JNF is committed to the health of the travelers and birds that live in the lake. Our commitment to the Hula Valley and the eco system is absolute. We take decisive actions to do everything in our power to stop the avian influenza from breaking out in the lake and defend not only the different birds that stop at the lake but also the delicate natural balance in this important area. We will keep working around the clock to ensure the well-being of wildlife and men."
Photograph: Inbar Shlomit Rubin, KKL-JNF