In the Western Cape, a new outbreak of avian influenza is hitting both farm birds and wild birds hard, causing many deaths and forcing farmers to cull their flocks. The virus doesn’t stay put it spreads quietly through wetlands and farmlands, showing how closely people, animals, and nature are connected. Communities are stepping up, helping to watch for sick or dead birds and keeping farms clean to stop the spread. This crisis reminds everyone that protecting birds means protecting the whole region’s health, food, and way of life.