Bird flu has been on the rise in Washington state and one sanctuary was hit hard: 20 big cats – more than half of the facility’s population – died over the course of weeks.

A Washington state wildlife sanctuary is mourning the deaths of 20 wildcats amid a bird flu outbreak as the virus infects poultry farms, dairy cattle and some people across the nation. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington in Shelton,

Bird flu ripped through a Washington state wildlife sanctuary, killing 20 big cats, the center said in a Facebook post, calling the deaths a "significant loss."

QUESTIONABLE - Brandon Miller (Ankle) Wizards: OUT - Saddiq Bey (Knee), Marvin Bagley III (Knee); QUESTIONABLE - Kyle Kuzma (Ribs), Alex Sarr (Back), Bilal Coulibaly (Groin), Bub Carrington (Side) The Hornets (7-22) hit the road on Thursday for the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Wizards (4-23) in a Southeastern Division matchup.

The Washington Wizards on Thursday will look to make it two in a row against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena. When: Thursday, December 26 at 7:00 PM ET Where: Capital One Arena How to watch: Monumental/NBA League Pass;