Lawmakers and wildlife experts have set aside $1.27 million in state funds to help monitor the highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as “bird flu,” in Minnesota wildlife.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has approved $1.27 million in state funds to put more effort into studying the impact avian influenza, otherwise known as "bird flu," has on state wildlife.

The University of Minnesota starts initiative to track bird flu's impact on wildlife, supported by $1.267 million in funding.

Nancy Gibson, co-chair of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, called the virus a "time bomb," and said no one knows the true extent of the disease which poses a threat to wildlife and humans.