No more deaths as injured birds return to sanctuary after Friday fire

No additional birds died overnight as a result of a Friday morning fire that killed 156 birds at the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary, an official with the sanctuary said Saturday.

Sandra Salinas, executive director of the sanctuary, said some of the injured birds were being brought back to the sanctuary near Durango Road and Grand Teton Drive.

A fire engulfed the northern edge of the 8-acre facility killing roughly 15 percent of the sanctuary's winged creatures, some of which were exotic and rare. The blaze then spread to the sanctuary's rehabilitation building, a wooden structure that houses about 30 ill or injured animals at any given time. The sanctuary's guard dog, a German shepherd, also died in the fire.

"The birds right now are doing very well," Salinas said, noting that 72 hours after a blaze is a key period for the injured birds' survival.

In addition to the birds that died, 35 birds were taken to an animal hospital in North Las Vegas. About 50 more parrots were being treated on site for smoke inhalation.

Fire investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze. An official with the Clark County Fire Department could not be reached Saturday for comment.

The sanctuary recently received a
$4 million grant, $500,000 of which was to be used directly for renovations. Architects had been hired to develop the sanctuary's cages into a modern aviary, which would have been more resistant to flames than the wooden buildings.

Salinas said staff moved some of the birds to other parts of the sanctuary, away from soot that might be blown in their direction. Salinas said the sanctuary will likely remain closed for a few weeks.

The facility is home to about 1,500 abandoned animals including parrots, cockatoos, peacocks and even a few ostriches.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas
at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.