(e) = estimate, * = morbidity and mortality

Bosque del Apache NWR (BA), California Fish & Game (CA), Colorado Division of Wildlife (CO), Houston Zoo (HZ), Louisiana State University (LU), National Wildlife Health Center (NW), New Jersey Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (NJ), Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation (OW), Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SC), Texas Park & Wildlife Dept. (TX), Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (WA), Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources (WI).

Written and compiled by Kimberli Miller, Kathryn Converse and Audra Schrader, National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC). The Quarterly Wildlife Mortality Report is also available on the Internet at http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/. To report mortality or if you would like specific information on these mortalities, contact one of the following NWHC staff: Western US Kathryn Converse; Eastern US--Kimberli Miller; Hawaiian Islands--Thierry Work. Phone (608) 270-2400, FAX (608) 270-2415 or E-mail kathy_converse@usgs.gov. National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711.

Quarterly Mortality Reports

Atlantic Brant in New Jersey. Atlantic brant mortality, first noted at Edwin B. Forsyth NWR in New Jersey in November 2000, occurred again in mid January 2001, along the coast near Atlantic City. Over 700 brant were collected during each wave of mortality for a total of over 1400 birds. Necropsy observations during both events included tissue hemorrhage and lung edema. Attempts by a variety of methods, including electron microscopy, failed to detect viral or bacterial etiologic agents including West Nile virus, duck plague, Newcastle disease and avian influenza. Tests for botulinum toxins and rodenticides were negative and brain acetylcholinesterase activity was within normal limits. Multiple state and federal agencies collaborated on the diagnostic and field response to this event. Media interest was very high.

Morbidity and Mortality in Florida. Brown pelican morbidity and mortality was first noted in the Marquesas Keys, Florida in late December and continued intermittently through March. Affected birds appeared lethargic with droopy heads, had difficulty flying and swimming or were unable to move at all. There were no consistent necropsy findings in the several pelicans necropsied at the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), no significant bacteria or viruses were isolated and tests for avian botulism type C and E were negative. However, two birds had moderate brain acetylcholinesterase activity depression (39% and 51%) and toxicology analysis will be pursued. Mortalities in loggerhead turtles have also occurred in southern Florida with nearly 150 sick and dead turtles found since September. Marine animal specialists have been working to determine the cause of this turtle mortality. A link between the pelican die-off and loggerhead deaths has not been established.

Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy. Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) occurred in various locations during 2000, with the majority of cases occurring at Woodlake in North Carolina and J. Strom Thurmond/Clark's Hill Lake on the Georgia-South Carolina border. Each year there seems to be a change in the epizootiology of this disease. The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) documented the first loss of several bald eagles from AVM outside of Arkansas at J. Strom Thurmond/Clark's Hill Lake as well as AVM in several new species including 2 great horned owls, 1 killdeer and 3 Canada geese. Wildlife Disease Specialists from SCWDS and NWHC conducted a field investigation at the site in late November 2000. Based on diagnostic and research work to date, the cause of AVM is thought to be due to either a naturally occurring or man-made chemical. NWHC research with sentinel birds in North Carolina has shown that the occurrence of AVM is site specific and has a fairly rapid onset. A variety of agencies will continue research efforts to determine the cause of this disease and route of exposure.

Avian Cholera in Arkansas. Over 200 American coots died over a 2-week period in early January in Arkansas County, Arkansas. SCWDS confirmed the mortality was due to avian cholera. This is the first record of avian cholera mortality in Arkansas in either the NWHC or SCWDS databases.

Louisiana Mortality. Cowbird and blackbird mortality was noted in January and February 2001, over an extensive area of southern Louisiana. Salmonellosis was diagnosed by Louisiana State University. An estimated 100 cowbirds and blackbirds found dead and dying on a golf course in East Baton Rouge Parrish appear to be unrelated mortalities as brain acetylcholinesterase activity was found to be significantly depressed in several birds examined at NWHC. This is suggestive of recent exposure to an organophosphate compound.

For additional information please contact Dr. Scott Wright, USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Disease Investigations Branch Chief, at 608-270-2460 or Paul Slota, USGS National Wildlife Health Center - Support Services Branch Chief at 608-270-2420.