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In the region ,Marl
Cranes at Lake Der are dying in droves: "This is the first outbreak of avian flu of this magnitude."
As common cranes begin their winter migration, they arrive by the thousands on the shores of Europe's largest artificial lake, in Champagne. This year, it's a massacre.
By Marie Blanchardon
October 29 , 2025 at 5:42 PM
The iconic bird of Lake Der is not having a good time. Since the beginning of October, common cranes have been arriving by the thousands at the shores of Europe's largest artificial lake . What this fascinating spectacle doesn't reveal is that they are carrying with them the avian flu virus, which is spreading across Europe . A tragedy for this natural area where these thousands of wading birds find refuge each autumn on their migration route.
At the foot of the dikes, on the roads, and in the surrounding fields, the carcasses are piling up… Every day, agents from the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), equipped with masks and gloves, collect these lifeless cranes. Nearly 5,000 deaths have already been recorded around Lake Der. This number is likely to increase daily, as the situation is considered unprecedented in the region.
“This is the first time we’ve had to manage an avian flu outbreak of this magnitude. And only a third of the migration has taken place; we’re still expecting tens of thousands of cranes at Der. The only thing to wait for is the peak of the epidemic. We can’t provide them with care. Once they’re infected, we’re unfortunately just spectators,” laments Étienne Clément, president of the LPO Champagne Ardenne.
It is impossible to administer the vaccine to wild birds
A vaccine against avian influenza has indeed existed for two years. However, it cannot be administered to wild cranes, unlike farmed birds. While awaiting the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds), the OFB (French Office for Biodiversity) and local authorities are continuing to raise public awareness. A dedicated phone number has been set up by the OFB to provide information and report sightings of sick wading birds (0 326 738 268).
“We receive many phone calls about dying cranes, but it’s crucial not to approach them. You must not handle a dead or sick animal. Only OFB agents are authorized to do this,” reminds Étienne Clément. Local communities are starting to organize. Some are setting up carcass collection points, like Montier-en-Der and Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne).
Once a certain number of animals are recovered, a rendering company takes over the carcasses. Beyond the health and safety aspects and best practices, a great wave of emotion sweeps across the Lac du Der region. Every autumn, thousands of ornithologists and novice tourists flock there to observe the flight of this majestic bird with its slate-gray plumage.
“It’s very special this year, we’re in a morbid atmosphere. Usually, we look forward to the crane, it’s a celebration to see them all arrive. I’m anxiously awaiting the next waves of migration. We are so powerless in the face of the spread of this virus,” confirms Étienne Clément.
For the time being, the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) is maintaining its organized activities related to crane migration. Observations of crane take-off and landing are still available for groups and individuals. Meanwhile, the Marne prefecture has not announced any specific restrictions or prohibitions on visiting Lake Der, but indicated this Thursday, October 30th, that a first outbreak of avian influenza has been detected in a chicken farm in Droyes (Haute-Marne), less than 3 km from Lake Der. Due to the virus, 4,000 chickens have died or been culled. The Marne prefecture has established regulated protection zones encompassing about ten surrounding municipalities. Within these zones, the movement of poultry is prohibited.
Nationwide, more than 100,000 poultry have already been culled. And in Germany, more than half a million birds have been culled in an attempt to contain the spread of avian flu.
https://www.leparisien.fr/marne-51/...eur-29-10-2025-TYKKJAGPA5F6XBG3E7H3FQ6QVA.php
In the region ,Marl
Cranes at Lake Der are dying in droves: "This is the first outbreak of avian flu of this magnitude."
As common cranes begin their winter migration, they arrive by the thousands on the shores of Europe's largest artificial lake, in Champagne. This year, it's a massacre.
By Marie Blanchardon
October 29 , 2025 at 5:42 PM
The iconic bird of Lake Der is not having a good time. Since the beginning of October, common cranes have been arriving by the thousands at the shores of Europe's largest artificial lake . What this fascinating spectacle doesn't reveal is that they are carrying with them the avian flu virus, which is spreading across Europe . A tragedy for this natural area where these thousands of wading birds find refuge each autumn on their migration route.
At the foot of the dikes, on the roads, and in the surrounding fields, the carcasses are piling up… Every day, agents from the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), equipped with masks and gloves, collect these lifeless cranes. Nearly 5,000 deaths have already been recorded around Lake Der. This number is likely to increase daily, as the situation is considered unprecedented in the region.
“This is the first time we’ve had to manage an avian flu outbreak of this magnitude. And only a third of the migration has taken place; we’re still expecting tens of thousands of cranes at Der. The only thing to wait for is the peak of the epidemic. We can’t provide them with care. Once they’re infected, we’re unfortunately just spectators,” laments Étienne Clément, president of the LPO Champagne Ardenne.
It is impossible to administer the vaccine to wild birds
A vaccine against avian influenza has indeed existed for two years. However, it cannot be administered to wild cranes, unlike farmed birds. While awaiting the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds), the OFB (French Office for Biodiversity) and local authorities are continuing to raise public awareness. A dedicated phone number has been set up by the OFB to provide information and report sightings of sick wading birds (0 326 738 268).
“We receive many phone calls about dying cranes, but it’s crucial not to approach them. You must not handle a dead or sick animal. Only OFB agents are authorized to do this,” reminds Étienne Clément. Local communities are starting to organize. Some are setting up carcass collection points, like Montier-en-Der and Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne).
Once a certain number of animals are recovered, a rendering company takes over the carcasses. Beyond the health and safety aspects and best practices, a great wave of emotion sweeps across the Lac du Der region. Every autumn, thousands of ornithologists and novice tourists flock there to observe the flight of this majestic bird with its slate-gray plumage.
“It’s very special this year, we’re in a morbid atmosphere. Usually, we look forward to the crane, it’s a celebration to see them all arrive. I’m anxiously awaiting the next waves of migration. We are so powerless in the face of the spread of this virus,” confirms Étienne Clément.
For the time being, the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) is maintaining its organized activities related to crane migration. Observations of crane take-off and landing are still available for groups and individuals. Meanwhile, the Marne prefecture has not announced any specific restrictions or prohibitions on visiting Lake Der, but indicated this Thursday, October 30th, that a first outbreak of avian influenza has been detected in a chicken farm in Droyes (Haute-Marne), less than 3 km from Lake Der. Due to the virus, 4,000 chickens have died or been culled. The Marne prefecture has established regulated protection zones encompassing about ten surrounding municipalities. Within these zones, the movement of poultry is prohibited.
Nationwide, more than 100,000 poultry have already been culled. And in Germany, more than half a million birds have been culled in an attempt to contain the spread of avian flu.
https://www.leparisien.fr/marne-51/...eur-29-10-2025-TYKKJAGPA5F6XBG3E7H3FQ6QVA.php
