With $1.267 million in funding approved by Governor Tim Walz on Jan. 3, researchers from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine will lead a collaborative effort to address highly pathogenic avian influenza and its emerging threat to Minnesota wildlife. For two years, highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as “bird flu” or HPAI, has made headlines for its devastating impact on free-ranging birds, free-ranging mammals and the poultry industry.