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Wildlife Disease
Wildlife disease is nothing new for the Salton Sea. The first recorded disease
die-off occurred in 1917, a decade after the filling of the Sea. Disease outbreaks
have occurred on and off at the Sea up until the current day, and will probably
continue in the future. Fortunately, the occurrence of disease and numbers
of sick and dead birds has been declining over the past few years.
Why does the Salton Sea have a disease problem?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question. Rather, it contains a series
of possible answers. The Salton Sea is a unique and complex ecosystem. It
is nutrient-rich with millions of birds that visit every year. This area of
southern California has extreme temperature changes, ranging from 115°
in the summer to 50° in the winter. The Salton Sea has many different
habitats, all lying within its boundaries, including salt water, freshwater,
brackish water, marsh areas, and upland areas. All of these characteristics
contribute to the potential of disease occurring at the Salton Sea. The Sonny
Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex, working in conjunction with
the California Department of Fish and Game,
the Salton Sea Authority, and other
organizations, have developed an extensive wildlife disease monitoring program
aimed at reducing the impact disease has on the wildlife that depends on the
Salton Sea.
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Last updated:
April 21, 2008