October 20, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has ordered the closure of Butterfield Acres, a popular Calgary petting farm, after multiple cases of avian influenza were confirmed at the site.
Health officials with Primary Care Alberta reported nine cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on Oct. 16. The facility had already voluntarily closed from Oct. 13 to 17, and AHS issued a formal closure order on Oct. 17.
The farm will remain closed until all conditions of the order are met and medical officers deem it safe to reopen.
“While HPAI primarily affects birds, rare human infections have occurred through close contact with infected animals,” AHS said in a Sunday news release, adding that the risk to the public remains low.
Still, AHS is urging anyone who visited Butterfield Acres between Oct. 6 and 12 to call 811 and isolate at home if they develop fever, cough, sore throat, or other flu-like symptoms.
In a statement posted to its website, Butterfield Acres said it is working closely with provincial and federal health authorities to ensure the safety of its animals, staff, and visitors.
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