More than 1000 cranes are thought to have died in a large outbreak of bird flu near Berlin, German conservationists recovering the animals' bodies say.

A total of 839 dead cranes have been counted since Sunday in a pond area in Linum, about 30km northwest of the capital, the head of the Rhinluch Species Protection Centre, Norbert Schneeweiß, said.

Altogether about 1500 infected animals may have died, according to Schneeweiß, who is co-ordinating a team of helpers searching deeper and more inaccessible waters.

"We are still surrounded by dying animals," said Schneeweiß, who has been organising crane conservation efforts for years.

The helpers, who have been working for days, are "fully equipped from head to toe" and must disinfect themselves after dealing with the birds.

"It is dramati

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