[Birdtalk] Antelope Island

[Mark Stackhouse]

Hello,

I can address the botulism issue, as it was  something with which we 
came into direct contact while I was working at Tracy Aviary. The 
bacteria that produce the botulism toxin (it's the poison that harms 
the birds, not a bacterial infection) exist naturally in he mud at the 
bottom of the lake, and in any body of water where there's mud that has 
organic matter and is anaerobic (lacking oxygen). Normally, there isn't 
enough activity of the bacteria to cause a problem, but when low water 
levels and warm weather allow the mud to be warmed, the activity of the 
bacteria explodes. The toxins build up in the mud, and waterfowl 
feeding in the mud become poisoned. The toxin causes paralysis, 
generally first in the legs and lower parts of the body and then 
progressing upward and finally causing death, either directly by 
shutting down respiration, or through starvation because the bird can't 
feed.

There have been botulism die-offs at the Great Salt Lake periodically 
throughout recorded history. They usually have occurred in the late 
summer of hot, dry years when water levels are low. There were terrible 
episodes in the early part of the last century, especially in the Bear 
River Bay area, involving tens of thousands of ducks. These episodes 
were apparently aggravated by water withdrawals from the Bear River, 
causing low water levels in the bay. The public outcry was great, and 
was (I've been told) one of the main reasons why Bear River Refuge was 
created - to preserve sufficient water in the bay to prevent further 
mass die-offs. It's something to consider as we contemplate damming and 
taking more water from the Bear . . .

Anyway, cool, wet weather and rising water levels should alleviate the 
situation soon, as it always eventually does.

Good birding!

Mark Stackhouse
mark at westwings.com
801-487-9453 (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA)
011-52-323-285-1243 (San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico)

On Sep 15, 2006, at 11:42 AM, MUHLESTEINCLAN at aol.com wrote:

>
> Glenda,
>  I was out there last week, and was also amazed with the numbers I saw 
> of dead waterfowl along the Causeway. I called Bill Fennimore, and he 
> told me that they believe it is Botulism that has effected this area. 
> He also said that because of the water levels being down right now, 
> that more contamination can be prevalent. He was going to pass on the 
> information.
> I would also like more information concerning this dismal dilemma. 
> Anyone knowing more please respond to us.
> Thanks,
> MarJean M_______________________________________________
> Birdtalk mailing list
> Birdtalk at utahbirds.org
> http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdtalk
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