Fox12Oregon – Officials estimate tens of thousands of birds have recently died from botulism at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge near the Oregon, California border.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson Jackie D’Almeida confirmed the botulism outbreak. It’s the worst outbreak in the recorded history of the refuge and could continue into early October.
Botulism is a serious illness caused by a natural toxin that attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis and death. Shallow, stagnant water provides the perfect environment for it to spread.
Infected birds often show weakness, lethargy, inability to walk, fly, or hold their head up, according to the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cannot specify an exact number but currently estimates 75,000 – 80,000 birds have died on Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge due to botulism,” said D’Almeida.
“the only thing that will stop the spread of botulism is the return of rain and cooler weather, as botulism thrives in warm, stagnant water,” wrote the Bird Alliance of Oregon.
“In the coming weeks it’s likely that thousands, or even tens of thousands more birds will die.”
Bird Alliance of Oregon blamed the outbreak on a warming climate.
“Historically, botulism outbreaks would have infected perhaps hundreds of birds. But, as wetlands continue to shrink and dry up across the Intermountain West, birds are forced into smaller bodies of water.
This creates larger concentrations of birds than would occur in a more natural system. In the Klamath Basin alone, more than 90% of wetlands have been lost.
This packs birds into available wetlands. Combined with longer warm, dry periods in summer and early fall, this creates perfect conditions for massive, non-natural, outbreaks.”
The Bird Alliance said hundreds of birds have been treated and released back into the wild amid the outbreak.
“Bird Ally X’s emergency botulism response team is operating its hospital at the refuge seven days a week, saving as many lives as possible.
Over the last 18 days, they have treated 835 waterbirds.
With appropriate treatment, rescued birds have an excellent recovery rate. So far 288 migratory waterbirds have been released back out into the wild.”
