A wildlife rescue centre in the Comox Valley has temporarily closed its visitor centre and gift shop  amid concerns about the spread of avian influenza in the region.

A wildlife rescue centre in the Comox Valley has temporarily closed its visitor centre and gift shop  amid concerns about the spread of avian influenza in the region.

In an update posted on its website late Friday, the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Centre, known as MARS, said it had made "the incredibly difficult decision" to close its doors to visitors out of concern for the safety of the eagles, owls and crows that call the centre home, as well as the wild animals it rehabilitates. 

The facility also appealed for financial support, saying the closure of the visitor centre and gift shop would "drastically reduce" its funding.

The wildlife hospital at MARS remains open, but staff ask anyone bringing a donation or an injured animal to the facility to remain in their vehicle when dropping it off.

Last week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed that a case of the avian flu that's been spreading across Canada has been found in a small flock in the Comox Valley. As of Wednesday, seven properties across B.C. had confirmed cases of the avian flu.