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November 13, 2008

Fungus sickens geese in Dannemora

Don't feed fowl, local DEC warns

By JEFF MEYERS

DANNEMORA -- State environmental officials are warning citizens not to feed waterfowl after a dozen Canada geese were found sick or dead at a North Country pond.

The sick geese were found about two weeks ago in a pond near the Dannemora Wastewater Treatment Plant. They were disoriented and unable to fly and have all succumbed since then.

Tests determined the dead geese were infected with aspergillosis, a fungus that grows in the birds' lungs and air sacs. It causes respiratory distress and eventual suffocation.

Birds pick up the fungus by eating moldy grain, such as in bread or livestock feed.

The fungus can cause large-scale die-offs in waterfowl, but it's not contagious and poses no risk to humans.

"The birds were not feeding at this pond," said State Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman David Winchell. "They were feeding somewhere else and then got sick while resting at this location."

Another Canada goose was found dead at the site Wednesday, increasing concerns that this may be more widespread.

"We were hoping that it had kind of settled itself, and then we found the dead bird on Wednesday," Winchell said. "They could be feeding anywhere and then resting in other parts of the county as well."

DEC has not received any other reports of sick or dead waterfowl but is asking the public to contact the regional wildlife office in Ray Brook with any unusual sightings.

Officials do not believe the geese were purposely poisoned but that the birds accidentally ingested moldy food.

DEC is asking the public not to feed waterfowl, to help prevent this disease and other negative impacts on bird populations.

Feeding ducks and geese can cause poor nutrition, overcrowding, unnatural behavior, delayed migration and the spread of disease such as aspergillosis.

Residents who insist on feeding waterfowl should provide only enough food for birds to eat each day and remove any remaining food at the end of the day, DEC advises.

Also, people should check for moldy food and should not feed moldy bread to any birds.

Farmers should keep grain piles covered and dispose of moldy grain or silage by burial or by tilling the feed into the soil.

jmeyers@pressrepublican.com

REPORT TO DEC
Residents who notice any sick or dying waterfowl should contact the Department of Environmental Conservation's Wildlife Division at 897-1200.

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