Police in Northampton County issued a warning Wednesday about dead geese reported in the Bethlehem area.
Colonial Regional police said multiple dead geese were reported in stormwater-retention ponds off the High Point Boulevard cul-de-sac and along Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is investigating the possibility that avian influenza, or bird flu, caused the deaths, according to police.
“The public is advised that the Game Commission is working with a contracted testing facility to collect and examine the birds,” police said via social media, urging the public not to touch or try to collect any dead birds and to keep pets and children away from the water.
Game Commission spokesman John Buffone said efforts to remove the geese carcasses began Wednesday and are continuing Thursday.
“Samples are being submitted to the lab to test for a number of things including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI),” he said by email, emphasizing that the public should avoid touching or handling dead wildlife.
Northampton County saw last winter’s most substantial bird flu activity with the removal of an estimated 2,000 wild bird carcasses, predominantly snow geese, from a quarry in December and January, according to the Game Commission.
The Game Commission has asked the public to report any wildlife observed sick or found dead by calling 833-742-9453 (833-PGC-WILD).