What caused all the dead birds at the Great Salt Lake?
SALT LAKE CITY — Tens of thousands of dead birds are showing up along the shore of the Great Salt Lake. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimates 20,000 to 50,000 birds have died so far this year from avian botulism, a disease that periodically plagues birds at the lake. Biologists say the outbreak ramped up in early August and is expected to last into the fall. This year’s outbreak — which has left scores of ducks and avocets dead on shores and marshes — is considered moderate, said Leslie McFarlane, a state wildlife disease expert. A similar episode in 1997 killed more than a half-million birds around the lake. The botulism bacteria is commonly spread when birds eat maggots from a dead bird that’s been infected. Outbreaks are routinely reported across North America, and it’s not uncommon for thousands of birds to die. Cases tend to increase in the summer, when warmer temperatures and low-oxygen water provides a good environment for the bacteria to thrive. Once ingested, botul
Botulism blamed for dead birds at Great Salt Lake By MIKE STARK (AP) SALT LAKE CITY — Tens of thousands of dead birds are showing up along the shore of the Great Salt Lake. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimates 20,000 to 50,000 birds have died so far this year from avian botulism, a disease that periodically plagues birds at the lake. Biologists say the outbreak ramped up in early August and is expected to last into the fall. This year’s outbreak — which has left scores of ducks and avocets dead on shores and marshes — is considered moderate, said Leslie McFarlane, a state wildlife disease expert. A similar episode in 1997 killed more than a half-million birds around the lake. The botulism bacteria is commonly spread when birds eat maggots from a dead bird that’s been infected. Outbreaks are routinely reported across North America, and it’s not uncommon for thousands of birds to die. Cases tend to increase in the summer, when warmer temperatures and low-oxygen water provide
Tens of thousands of dead birds are showing up along the shore of the Great Salt Lake. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimates 20,000 to 50,000 birds have died so far this year from avian botulism, a disease that periodically plagues birds at the lake. Biologists say the outbreak ramped up in early August and is expected to last into the fall. Sources: http://www.google.
