New and Ongoing Wildlife Mortality Events Nationwide
USGS and a network of partners across the country work on documenting wildlife mortality events in order to provide timely and accurate information on locations, species and causes of death. This information is used by natural resource managers, researchers, public health officials and legislators to help design disease prevention and mitigation strategies, to address interconnections between human, domestic animal and wildlife disease, and to assist in identification of 'normal' disease issues vs. biosecurity concerns.
These data are not all-inclusive. Information on some outbreaks may not be received until months or years after the event, but efforts continue to make the information as complete as possible. For information on previous wildlife mortality events and events that used to be on this page, please see the Quarterly Mortality Reports.
For additional information on mortalities
- In the Eastern half of the United States, please contact Dr. Anne Ballman (608-270-2445 or aballmann@usgs.gov)
- In the Western half of the United States, please contact Dr. Krysten Schuler (608-270-2447 or kschuler@usgs.gov)
More information on reporting an event can be found at the event reporting page.
Date last updated :
Jan 05, 2009
Mortality Begin Date |
End Date |
State |
County |
Species |
Diagnosis |
Estimated Mortality to Date |
Reported By |
12/16/2008 | ongoing | KS | RICE | Greater White-fronted Goose, Canada Goose | Open | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
12/09/2008 | ongoing | KY | MARSHALL | Mallard, American Wigeon | Predation | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
12/09/2008 | ongoing | OR | JEFFERSON | Mallard | Open | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
12/09/2008 | ongoing | OR | YAMHILL | Canada Goose, Taverner's Canada Goose, Western Canada Goose | Avian cholera suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
12/05/2008 | ongoing | NY | WASHINGTON | Greater Snow Goose, Mallard | Parasitism: Sphaeridiotrema globulus | < 50 | -- |
12/02/2008 | ongoing | CA | SISKIYOU | Lesser Snow Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose | Avian cholera | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
12/01/2008 | ongoing | OR | JACKSON | Black-tailed Deer | Open | < 25 | OR State Diagnostic Lab |
11/25/2008 | 12/03/2008 | AR | WHITE | Lesser Snow Goose, Northern Pintail, Mallard | Avian cholera | ~ 1000 | USGS NWHC |
11/06/2008 | 11/08/2008 | OK | ALFALFA | Greater Sandhill Crane | Trauma: storm | < 150 | USGS NWHC |
10/31/2008 | 11/05/2008 | ND | NELSON | Mallard | Aspergillosis | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
10/28/2008 | 10/31/2008 | ND | WELLS | Mallard, Canada Goose | Impaction: soybean | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
10/24/2008 | ongoing | OR | MARION | Cackling Goose | Aspergillosis | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
10/24/2008 | 10/30/2008 | OH | STARK | European Starling | Open: toxicosis suspect, Emaciation | ~ 200 | USGS NWHC |
10/24/2008 | ongoing | AR | LAWRENCE | Unidentified Deer | Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease suspect | ~ 25 | - unknown - |
10/21/2008 | 10/30/2008 | NY | CLINTON | Canada Goose | Aspergillosis | < 25 | NY Dept Env Cons |
10/20/2008 | ongoing | MN | ITASCA | Lesser Scaup, American Coot, Redhead Duck, White-winged Scoter | Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Sphaeridiotrema globulus, Parasitism: coccidiosis | < 900 | USGS NWHC |
10/19/2008 | ongoing | OK | ALFALFA | Common Grackle | Trauma suspect | ~ 100 | USGS NWHC |
10/04/2008 | 10/23/2008 | MN | AITKIN | Ring-necked Duck, Redhead Duck | Lead poisoning | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
10/01/2008 | ongoing | AZ | MARICOPA | Northern Flicker, Mourning Dove | Open | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
09/28/2008 | 10/04/2008 | GA | HART | Brown-headed Cowbird | Toxicosis: Famphur | < 25 | SCWDS |
09/23/2008 | ongoing | CA | SHASTA | Boreal Toad, Long-toed Salamander | Viral Infection: Ranavirus | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
09/22/2008 | 10/15/2008 | SD | BUTTE, LAWRENCE | Unidentified Deer | Epizootic hemorrhagic disease | ~ 25 | SD University Diagnostic Lab |
09/15/2008 | 11/17/2008 | WI | LA CROSSE | American Coot, Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant | Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Sphaeridiotrema globulus | < 650 | USGS NWHC |
09/15/2008 | ongoing | FL | BROWARD | Muscovy Duck, Mallard | Open: botulism suspect | < 25 | - unknown - |
09/10/2008 | ongoing | WI | MILWAUKEE | Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Double-crested Cormorant | Botulism type E | ~ 50 | USGS NWHC |
09/04/2008 | ongoing | OR | MARION | Bullfrog | Viral Infection: Ranavirus | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
08/11/2008 | 10/24/2008 | CA | IMPERIAL | American White Pelican, Unidentified Gull, California Brown Pelican, Unidentified Teal, Northern Shoveler | Botulism type C | < 400 | USGS NWHC |
07/29/2008 | ongoing | CA | MONTEREY | Stickleback | Open | < 100 | USGS NWHC |
06/30/2008 | ongoing | MI | BENZIE | Caspian Tern, Ring-billed Gull, Least Sandpiper, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Merganser | Botulism type E | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
06/27/2008 | ongoing | MI | MASON | Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Unidentified Tern, Herring Gull | Botulism type E | < 75 | MI Dept of Natural Resources |
06/18/2008 | ongoing | CA | SANTA CRUZ | California Red-legged Frog | Open | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
05/26/2008 | ongoing | PA | ERIE | Common Loon, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Unidentified Waterfowl, American Crow | Botulism type E, Botulism type C, Trauma | < 300 | USGS NWHC |
05/20/2008 | ongoing | WA | CLALLAM | Black-tailed Deer | Predation, Undetermined | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
Explanation of fields:
Mortality begin date is the date the mortality began -- for most wildlife disease events, this is an estimate only, as carcasses may not be noticed immediately.
End date is again usually an estimate of the last day new carcasses were found.
State and country identify the area in which the mortality is occurring. NOTE: avian mortality events may cover several counties and possibly multiple states given the migratory nature of many species.
Species shown on the table include up to 5 of the species involved in the event. In some cases, group identifiers like 'waterfowl' or 'shorebirds' have been used instead of specific names when a large number of different species are involved.
Diagnosis includes a final diagnosis, if known, with no qualifiers; a suspected diagnosis once preliminary investigations have been made; or an indication that tests are still in process. NOTE: In some instances, where mortality occurred but no specimens were sent to NWHC or another diagnostic laboratory or -- in rare instances -- where tests could not definitely identify a trigger for the mortality, the cause of death may never be determined. Such events are identified with the word 'open' in the diagnosis column.
The estimated mortality provides some indication of the severity of the event. Numbers may change rapidly from one week to the next.
The 'reported by' field indicates the lab(s) or agencies who reported or are working on the mortality event.
USGS NWHC = USGS National Wildlife Health Center USDA NVSL = USDA National Veterinary Services Lab SCWDS = Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
NOTE: If you find a dead bird, mammal, reptile or amphibian, please contact your state natural resource agency first. They will know the proper reporting procedures for your area. Contact information may be found online or in the government pages of your local telephone book.
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