DEC probes death of Lake Ontario water birds

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced the agency is investigating the cause of the deaths of numerous water birds found along the shores of Lake Ontario since Oct. 21.

DEC's Wildlife Pathology Unit is examining gulls, grebes and loons collected from Sodus Bay to Deer Creek Marsh. They will conduct tests for type E botulism and perform other clinical analyses on the birds.

Type E botulism is a specific strain of botulism most commonly affecting fish-eating birds. The associated neurotoxin produced by actively growing bacterium paralyzes affected birds, which often drown. Ingestion of the toxin produced by the botulism bacterium can be harmful to humans who eat contaminated birds or fish. To date, type E botulism has not been found in any fish from Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence River.

Hunters and anglers are advised not to harvest waterfowl or fish that appear sick or are acting abnormally. Waterbirds affected by botulism toxin cannot fly, and their legs become paralyzed. They often propel themselves across the water and mudflats with their wings.