http://www.algoafm.co.za/article.aspx?id=12231
SANparks to investigate mortality of birds in Garden Route
13:09 (GMT+2), Mon, 16 March 2015
SA National Parks says it's investigating the mortality of birds that were recently found in lakes in the Garden Route recently.
The Area Manager of the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park, Sandra Taljaard, says they're taking the matter seriously and are monitoring.
She says since the first observations of this occurrence, immediate action was taken and a process put in place to get to the root of the problem of the bird mortalities.
Taljaard says local and state veterinary services as well as SANParks Veterinary Services were approached to help with the investigation of specimens collected for analysis.
She says the ongoing removal and disposal of carcasses at the lakes is being carried out.
Mortality of Birds in Garden Route National Park
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Richprins
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Re: Mortality of Birds in Garden Route National Park
There does not seem to be a media release regarding this on the SANParks website? Weird? 
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
Re: Mortality of Birds in Garden Route National Park
http://www.georgeherald.com/news/News/G ... Wilderness
It's as usual a big secret
It's as usual a big secret
"As soon as any further specific information becomes available on this unusual phenomenon, it will be communicated to the public without delay." Nandi Mgwadlamba, spokesperson for the park, said no further information can be given at this stage due to the sensitivity of the matter. The George Herald wanted to know what types of birds have been affected, how many birds have been collected/counted so far, which lakes are affected, since when dead birds have been noticed and what is being tested for.
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Lisbeth
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Re: Mortality of Birds in Garden Route National Park
They must know more than that!!!
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
Re: Mortality of Birds in Garden Route National Park
http://www.georgeherald.com/news/News/G ... ths-unkown
Cause of bird deaths unkown
GEORGE NEWS - South African National Parks (SANParks) is no closer to finding the cause of death of se-veral water birds in Wilderness Lakes, including Langvlei.
In a media statement released on Monday 16 March, Sandra Taljaard, area manager of the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), acknowledged that several birds were found dead in the area and the GRNP and SANParks were looking into the matter.
Nandi Mgwadlamba, GRNP spokesperson, said that in search of the possible cause of fatalities, the bird carcasses were sent to the state vet and SANParks' veterinary services.
"We have not received the test results and are awaiting a report from the state vet and our own vet services, which will give us an indication of what caused the birds' deaths," said Mgwadlamba.
According to Rondevlei resident Jan Potgieter, he was told that 15 dead water birds were found in Langvlei last week (16 to 20 March). "A SANParks employee said the affected birds were mostly red-knobbed coots and yellow-billed ducks," said Potgieter. Asked to confirm the fatalities mentioned by Potgieter, Mgwadlamba said, "The GRNP cannot confirm as yet how many birds have died."
Potgieter struck up a conversation with the SANParks employees while watching their reed remover vessel (an amphibious vessel) clear the Langvlei channel between Langvlei and Rondevlei. "The supervisor said they need to clear the channel to make sure there is enough movement between the lakes."
Mgwadlamba said, "The clearing of the reeds is an annual maintenance exercise and not at all related to bird mortalities. Over time, reed beds naturally dry out as plant litter builds up, and are encroached. We cut the reeds annually as part of efforts to keep the habitat intact. It is part of the GRNP management plan.
"We will be in a position to comment on the causes of bird mortalities upon receipt of the report from vet services."
Cause of bird deaths unkown
GEORGE NEWS - South African National Parks (SANParks) is no closer to finding the cause of death of se-veral water birds in Wilderness Lakes, including Langvlei.
In a media statement released on Monday 16 March, Sandra Taljaard, area manager of the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP), acknowledged that several birds were found dead in the area and the GRNP and SANParks were looking into the matter.
Nandi Mgwadlamba, GRNP spokesperson, said that in search of the possible cause of fatalities, the bird carcasses were sent to the state vet and SANParks' veterinary services.
"We have not received the test results and are awaiting a report from the state vet and our own vet services, which will give us an indication of what caused the birds' deaths," said Mgwadlamba.
According to Rondevlei resident Jan Potgieter, he was told that 15 dead water birds were found in Langvlei last week (16 to 20 March). "A SANParks employee said the affected birds were mostly red-knobbed coots and yellow-billed ducks," said Potgieter. Asked to confirm the fatalities mentioned by Potgieter, Mgwadlamba said, "The GRNP cannot confirm as yet how many birds have died."
Potgieter struck up a conversation with the SANParks employees while watching their reed remover vessel (an amphibious vessel) clear the Langvlei channel between Langvlei and Rondevlei. "The supervisor said they need to clear the channel to make sure there is enough movement between the lakes."
Mgwadlamba said, "The clearing of the reeds is an annual maintenance exercise and not at all related to bird mortalities. Over time, reed beds naturally dry out as plant litter builds up, and are encroached. We cut the reeds annually as part of efforts to keep the habitat intact. It is part of the GRNP management plan.
"We will be in a position to comment on the causes of bird mortalities upon receipt of the report from vet services."
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Lisbeth
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Re: Mortality of Birds in Garden Route National Park
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
Re: Mortality of Birds in Garden Route National Park
State Vet results back re-bird kills
May 10, 2015
SANParks has received the first report from the State Vet who was consulted to conduct extensive tests on birds subsequent to recent bird kills. ‘Tests have come back negative for bird influenza/ flu with circumstantial evidence and clinical observation.’
The report from the Vet has not ruled out Avian Botulism as a cause for the death. His report describes the method for testing birds and causes of death for individual birds. He confirmed upon opening up the stomachs of the dead birds, all were empty. Some of the birds ‘had lungs that were severely congested and filled with fluid’ confirmed the Vet report.
Multiple samples were conducted on parts of the birds such as the liver, the lung, the pancrease, the brain and other.
Although the deaths of birds has decreased substantially, SANParks still awaits its own Vet Report.
What is Avian Botulism?
A globally accepted definition: ‘Avian botulism is a paralytic disease caused by ingestion of a toxin produced by the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is widespread in soil and requires warm temperatures, a protein source and an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment in order to become active and produce toxin. Decomposing vegetation and invertebrates combined with warm temperatures can provide ideal conditions for the botulism bacteria to activate and produce toxin. There are several types of toxin produced by strains of this bacteria; birds are most commonly affected by type C and to a lesser extent type E.’
Furthermore ‘according to the US National Wildlife Health Center, birds either ingest the toxin directly or may eat invertebrates (e.g. chironomids, fly larvae) containing the toxin. Invertebrates are not affected by the toxin and store it in their body. A cycle develops in a botulism outbreak when fly larvae (maggots), feed on animal carcasses and ingest toxin. Ducks that consume toxin-laden maggots can develop botulism after eating as few as 3 or 4 maggots.’
Avian botulism is not transferable to humans.
Where to now?
The Lakes Area in Wilderness is still safe to visit despite the recent deaths of migratory birds. Various activities can still be enjoyed including visiting bird hides in the Wilderness section (Malachite & Rondevlei).
Scientists from SANParks will try and get to the bottom of various causes of the causes of avian botulism if the second report confirms this as a cause.
Media and the public will be informed of the contents of the SANParks Vet Services report and also of progress regarding this matter.
May 10, 2015
SANParks has received the first report from the State Vet who was consulted to conduct extensive tests on birds subsequent to recent bird kills. ‘Tests have come back negative for bird influenza/ flu with circumstantial evidence and clinical observation.’
The report from the Vet has not ruled out Avian Botulism as a cause for the death. His report describes the method for testing birds and causes of death for individual birds. He confirmed upon opening up the stomachs of the dead birds, all were empty. Some of the birds ‘had lungs that were severely congested and filled with fluid’ confirmed the Vet report.
Multiple samples were conducted on parts of the birds such as the liver, the lung, the pancrease, the brain and other.
Although the deaths of birds has decreased substantially, SANParks still awaits its own Vet Report.
What is Avian Botulism?
A globally accepted definition: ‘Avian botulism is a paralytic disease caused by ingestion of a toxin produced by the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is widespread in soil and requires warm temperatures, a protein source and an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment in order to become active and produce toxin. Decomposing vegetation and invertebrates combined with warm temperatures can provide ideal conditions for the botulism bacteria to activate and produce toxin. There are several types of toxin produced by strains of this bacteria; birds are most commonly affected by type C and to a lesser extent type E.’
Furthermore ‘according to the US National Wildlife Health Center, birds either ingest the toxin directly or may eat invertebrates (e.g. chironomids, fly larvae) containing the toxin. Invertebrates are not affected by the toxin and store it in their body. A cycle develops in a botulism outbreak when fly larvae (maggots), feed on animal carcasses and ingest toxin. Ducks that consume toxin-laden maggots can develop botulism after eating as few as 3 or 4 maggots.’
Avian botulism is not transferable to humans.
Where to now?
The Lakes Area in Wilderness is still safe to visit despite the recent deaths of migratory birds. Various activities can still be enjoyed including visiting bird hides in the Wilderness section (Malachite & Rondevlei).
Scientists from SANParks will try and get to the bottom of various causes of the causes of avian botulism if the second report confirms this as a cause.
Media and the public will be informed of the contents of the SANParks Vet Services report and also of progress regarding this matter.