Testing is underway on several dead birds that washed ashore on the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas since March 22. The Animal Health Division of the Department of Natural Resources will examine the birds to determine official cause of death. At this point, starvation has been noted in a number of the birds examined.

Approximately 45 dead birds have been collected to date with more expected to come ashore. Officials with the Animal Health Division and Environment Canada�s Canadian Wildlife Service will continue to monitor the situation. Recovery of further birds from Bonavista and elsewhere on the Avalon is underway.

People are asked not to touch the birds and to keep pets from coming into contact with them. Please be advised that no one should be picking up these birds unless they have, or are covered to do so by, a migratory bird permit issued by Environment Canada�s Canadian Wildlife Service.

At this time of year, bird die-offs are not an uncommon event due to ice, weather conditions and starvation. Previous die-offs have been associated with fungal infections, pesticide spills and avian cholera, a bacterial disease common in wild birds with minimal risk to humans.

The department has also examined several dead gulls, primarily of the great black-backed and glaucous species, recently found in the area of Quidi Vidi Lake. Toxicology reports indicate no evidence of common pesticides. However, the gulls did exhibit high concentrations of caffeine in their stomachs. This is now considered to be the likely cause of death.

For further information on either of these incidents, please contact Hugh Whitney, Chief Veterinary Officer, 709-729-6879.

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