Posted on 12/16/2006 3:52:28 PM PST by blam
CN_Today 12/16/2006 3:14:00 PM
USDA: Moldy Grain, Not Bird Flu, Caused Idaho Duck Deaths
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Moldy grain, not bird flu, caused a large mallard duck die-off in Idaho, a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokeswoman said Friday. Tests conducted at the National Wildlife Health Center, which is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, found no avian influenza, said USDA spokeswoman Angela Harless.
Instead, it’s been determined that the birds were sickened by eating mold on corn, she said. Mold produces a toxin that can sicken wildlife when ingested. As many as 2,500 mallard ducks died along a southeastern Idaho creek bed, state officials have said.
The ducks mysteriously began dying last week around Land Springs Creek, about 180 miles southeast of Boise. Mark Drew, a wildlife veterinarian with the state Department of Agriculture told The Associated Press earlier this week the ducks likely were exposed to a single contamination source and gathered at the creek, their mutual roosting point, to die.
State officials had said since the investigation into the die-off began that bird flu was unlikely to be the cause.
Other birds were present but only the ducks were sick - dead.
Ping.
that makes sense in that whatever grain it was was part of the mallards' diet and not the other birds' diet.
blam, what in the hell were you doing browsing Cattle Network?
I thought you had a life.
Just another exciting Saturday night around here.
Exactly this time last week, I was stuck in I-10 traffic between Katy and Houston. You should have told me to take 290 back from Austin, ahem.
Do you take that way to work each day? What a mess!!
It's a cover up. The birds had eaten at Taco Bell.
Get on I-10?? I'm not nuts!!
I go the backroads to work each day. Save me about three hours of drive time. ;-)
OR...
300 Now Report Illness After Eating At Indianapolis Olive Garden
Sounds like your Sat night is about as exciting as mine. LOL
THANK YOU for that update Myrddin.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.