Hundreds of water #birds dead due to #botulism outbreak in #Albufera, #Spain

Birds in the Natural Park of L’Albufera. MÒNICA TORRES

The outbreak of avian botulism detected on July 17 in the Tancat de la Pipa, in the natural park of the Albufera of Valencia, has left this Monday 331 dead birds and 64 sick, and a total of sixteen affected species, although around 80% of corpses correspond to mallards.

This has been explained to Efe Mario Giménez, delegate of SEO Birdlife in the Valencian Community, an organization that together with Acció Ecologista Agró manages this natural space where the drying process is followed to avoid concentrations of birds and that the bacteria can be dispersed accordingly.

Giménez has indicated that the majority of affected birds are mallards, of which there is a population of between 4,000 and 5,000 individuals in this park where there are usually no threatened species, and they have also found affected specimens of common egret, stork or common teal.

He has indicated that, of the 40 hectares in which it is necessary to act, one of the three filters that make up these old rice fields next to La Albufera has already dried up , and then the same will be done with the two lagoons, a process that He hopes it is finished this week, because he “empties slower” than they would “like”.

The intention is that the Tancat de la Pipa remain dry for the rest of the summer “and at least until mid-September”, since as long as the high temperatures continue there is a greater risk that the birds can get sick, and that with autumn it will become to flood the place “with an adequate water flow”, he explained.

Courtesy of elpais.com

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More than 20 #ducks and other #dead #birds in #Cochabamba, #Quenamari, #Bolivia

The dead ducks in several places on the banks of the Quenamari lagoon, in the Itocta Commune of the city. | DANIEL JAMES

Quenamari lagoon was full of herons, ducks of different species and flamingos. However, the picture changed drastically. Now, you have a mirror of water with more than 20 dead ducks, either on the banks, floating or being devoured by dogs.

Los Tiempos made a tour of almost half a lagoon in the southwest sector. It identified 18 ducks and other dead birds. Some were with the skeleton discovered, while others had the appearance of having only a few hours without life.

In addition, there were birds watered by the dry sectors. Also, it was noticed the presence of several packs that had in their snouts some of these to eat them.

The ornithologist Dennis Camacho explained that, in the visit they made with a group of biologists, they identified more than 20 ducks of three species, dead, in addition to other birds such as waterbirds.

“It’s a high death toll. It is not normal. These birds feed on algae and microinvertebrates that live in the water. It’s possible that it’s something in the water, “Camacho explained.

The specialist indicated that they could not take any dead duck, because the people of the area were quite reluctant with their presence. However, they moved an agonizing duck to Agroflori to be treated.

On the other hand, one of those in charge of Agroflori, Soledad Vargas, explained that the duck arrived with diarrhea. In addition, it had affectations by an apparent fall.

They also received several messages from people who pointed out the presence of ducks that fell in their homes. All of them were sent to the Forestry and Environmental Police (Pofoma) for their rescue and delivery to the Government.

However, it is also the Mayor’s task to do a toxicological examination to determine the cause of death of the ducks. A similar situation was experienced years ago in the Alalay lagoon and the municipality was responsible.

The panorama of the lagoon became bleak. There is almost no life. The water has algae and totorales without any type of management. It is in abandonment.

Courtesy of lostiempos.com

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Thousands of water #birds found dead at #Wetlands in Western #Australia

Thousands of birds have been found dead at one of Western Australia’s most important inland wetlands.

A Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development veterinarian arrived at Lake Gregory in the East Kimberley earlier this month to take sample, and found a number of wild birds in “poor conditions with low body weights”.

On a department inspection, it was found several thousand birds had died at the wetland, but the cause of death remains a mystery.

Lake Gregory is a permanent freshwater lake located between the Great Sandy Desert and the Tanami Desert and was previously described by the department as the most important inland wetland in Australia.

Courtesy of watoday.com.au

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Dozens of dead water birds found dead in a lake in Puerto del Rosario, Spain

Fuerteventura investigates the death of a score of birds in wetlands of the Island.

The Cabildo de Fuerteventura , through the Ministry of the Environment directed by Natalia Evora , has activated the Animal Health Protocol, after detecting the presence of dead birds in the reservoir of Los Molinos (Rural Park of Betancuria, Puerto del Rosario) and Fuerteventura Golf ( Caleta de Fuste , Antigua). Specifically, it is 25 copies of cinnamon jars and some others of common egret . The protocol establishes the sampling of waters for analysis and fluids of live animals, which are analyzed in the central veterinary laboratory to detect possible botulism.

In addition to these specimens have been collected other live ( 7 cinnamon jars and a common coot in the dam of Los Molinos and 2 common egrets in Fuerteventura Golf), which are kept under observation and care by the team of veterinarians of La Lajita Zoo , with which Cabildo de Fuerteventura has an agreement for injured or injured wildlife assistance.

Courtesy of laprovincia.es

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1,000 waterbirds found dead ‘due to disease’ in Canterbury, New Zealand

Photo By MICHAEL BATE/SUPPLIED

Nearly 1000 birds have died at wastewater treatment plants in Canterbury after an outbreak of botulism.

 

Hundreds of waterfowl including ducks, teal and geese have been found dead at a treatment plant in Kaiapoi, with more discovered at other sites in Waimakariri and Christchurch.

 

The Kaiapoi plant’s shallow ponds and wetlands are home to between 5000 and 6000 birds, including mallards, paradise shelducks, black swans, teal and the New Zealand shoveler.

 

Officials estimate around 960 birds have been killed by the disease over the past month, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the population.

 

Many, too graphic to publish, show decaying birds being eaten by maggots as they float on the surface.

 

Authorities insist they are doing all they can to manage the situation and maintain the plant is safe, but say there is nothing they can do to halt the disease’s impact.

 

Gerard Cleary, utilities and roading manager at Waimakariri District Council, said the council was looking at whether there was more it could do to reduce future risk.

 

“It is a natural process and is certainly not something for people to be alarmed about. It is just an ongoing issue in New Zealand and we are not the only region that has it.”

Courtesy of stuff.co.nz 

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4,200 waterbirds dead due to ‘avian cholera’ in Idaho, USA

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is reporting that the number of waterfowl killed by an outbreak of avian cholera has now exceeded 4,200.

 

Agency officials initially investigated the deaths of waterfowl after a Parma citizen reported the deaths on Feb. 9.

 

The outbreak occurred on private land, and the disease has killed mostly ducks, but also some geese and other birds. Fish and Game crews and volunteers are collecting the dead birds and burying them at nearby Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area to prevent and reduce further spread of the disease.

 

Avian cholera is not considered a high-risk disease for humans, according to the National Wildlife Health Center.

 

Avian cholera is the result of infection with the bacterium Pasteurella multocida. The bacterium is released into the environment by dead or dying birds or by birds carrying the disease. Consequently, dense concentrations of waterfowl can enhance disease transmission among healthy birds.

 

In 2013, an avian botulism outbreak killed about 600 ducks in the same area.

 

Wildlife officials continue to monitor for any additional deaths and encourage the public to report any observations involving numerous dead waterfowl.

Courtesy of idahopress.com

http://tinyurl.com/jgh3bol

Hundreds of water birds die along lake Michigan, USA

Officials say botulism is suspected in the deaths of hundreds of birds recently along Lake Michigan.

 

Dan Ray, botulism monitoring project lead for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, counted a large number of dead birds last week. The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports he joined a team of volunteers Saturday in burying 250 birds at Good Harbor Bay Beach.

 

Ray says the birds “almost certainly” died of type E botulism. He expects to see more dead birds on Lake Michigan’s shoreline through November.

 

Typically, type E botulism occurs in fish-eating birds in the open waters of the Great Lakes.

 

The nonprofit conservation group Common Coast says the bird deaths extended at least 10 miles up the Leelanau Peninsula and past Leland.

Courtesy of freep.com

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1,100 water birds found dead at a wildlife area in Kansas, USA

The sight may have confused folks in central Kansas over the past couple of weeks: Big migratory waterfowl, often majestic-looking snow geese, appearing drunk and swimming in circles, or flying erratically before suddenly plunging dead from the sky.

Courtesy of sfchronicle.com

http://tinyurl.com/hlpz6dy

80 waterbirds found dead at a swamp in Queensland, Australia

AUTHORITIES  are investigating after about 80 birds were found dead at Hasties Swamp near Atherton.

 

Tully man David Clarke was showing friends around the Tablelands on Wednesday when they came across the gruesome scene.

 

“We could see a big flock of birds on the edge of the lagoon,” he said.

 

“When we were driving out, we discovered a sick bird on the road.

 

“There was no injury to it, so we released it back into the water.

 

“Then we saw the dead bodies of dozens of birds and ­others in a dying state, that’s when we realised something drastic was going on.

 

“It was distressing to see birds flapping around dying.”

 

Mr Clarke reported the deaths and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and Biosecurity Queensland are now investigating.

 

A QPWS spokeswoman said rangers found about 80 dead birds, mainly magpie geese, which may have been killed by avian botulism.

 

The paralytic disease is caused by ingestion of a toxin produced by the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum.

 

It can be present in the birds’ food sources such as insect larvae.

 

“Bird deaths from botulism are annual events in Northern Australia at this time of year,” she said.

 

“Samples are being taken at Hasties Swamp on Friday to determine if botulism or some other cause is responsible.

 

“Results should be known in about a week.

 

“QPWS has erected signage at the park to warn visitors.”

Courtesy of cairnspost.com.au

http://tinyurl.com/j6olgc3

Dozens of dead water birds washing ashore in Tiny Township, Ontario, Canada

An investigation is underway to figure out why a large number of dead birds have washed up on beaches in Tiny Township.

 

It’s not uncommon to see ducks wash up on the beaches but on Thursday Tiny Township workers counted 66 dead birds.

 

“We find ourselves back here this year with another large amount of dead water fowl on the beach,” says Tiny Township Mayor George Cornell.

 

The last major occurrence of dead birds was in 2011. On Friday workers removed 12 more ducks from the beach.

 

“To address the situation the public works department on a daily basis check the major public beach parks,” adds Cornell.

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources tells CTV News they aren’t able to determine the reason the birds are dying. However botulism has been the cause of death for the birds. Migrating ducks will eat contaminated mussels or fish and the toxins will paralyze the ducks, which normally leads to drowning.

 

Christine Lindsay visits the beaches year-round and says the dead birds might stop her from coming.

 

“It’s a concern because you worry about what is killing the ducks and then you kind of wonder if it’s killing the birds, can it affect me?” adds Lindsay.

 

Tiny Township Mayor Cornell says if you find a dead duck along the beaches not to touch them but to call the Ministry of Natural Resources and if you find one your private property to call the township.

Courtesy of barrie.ctvnews.ca

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