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.
The Recent Mortality Events Map visualizes the data on this page in an interactive map. Watch for trends and filter events based on type and location.
For additional information on mortalities
- Western U.S.: Barb Bodenstein, 608-270-2447, bbodenstein@usgs.gov
- Central U.S.: Dr. LeAnn White, 608-270-2491, clwhite@usgs.gov
- Eastern U.S.: Dr. Anne Ballmann, 608-270-2445, aballmann@usgs.gov
- Hawaii, Pacific Islands: Dr. Thierry Work, 808-792-9520, thierry_work@usgs.gov
- Nationwide, single animal cases only: Jennifer Buckner, 608-270-2443, jBuckner@usgs.gov
More information on reporting an event can be found at the event reporting page.
Date last updated : Feb 06, 2013
Mortality Begin Date |
End Date |
State |
County |
Species |
Diagnosis |
Estimated Mortality to Date |
Reported By |
01/20/2013 | ongoing | CA | IMPERIAL | Northern Pintail | Open | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
01/14/2013 | 01/14/2013 | WA | WHATCOM | Pine Siskin | Toxicosis suspect | ~ 200 | USGS NWHC, WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife |
01/07/2013 | 01/07/2013 | NV | CLARK | Gambel's Quail | Open | < 10 | NV Division of Wildlife, USGS NWHC |
01/04/2013 | ongoing | KY | EDMONSON | Northern Long-eared Bat | Fungal Infection: white-nose syndrome | unknown | SCWDS |
01/04/2013 | 01/04/2013 | WA | PIERCE | Pine Siskin | Trauma suspect, Toxicosis suspect | ~ 10 | - no diagnostics pursued -, WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife |
01/03/2013 | ongoing | TX | HASKELL | Unidentified Sandhill Crane | Open | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
01/03/2013 | 01/16/2013 | UT | SALT LAKE, WEBER, DAVIS | Eared Grebe | Avian cholera | ~ 2000 | USGS NWHC, UT Div of Wildlife Resources |
01/02/2013 | 01/02/2013 | OH | CUYAHOGA | Canada Goose, Mallard | Trauma: gunshot | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
01/02/2013 | 01/12/2013 | WA | SKAGIT | Pine Siskin | Trauma suspect, Toxicosis suspect | ~ 1250 | USGS NWHC, WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife |
12/31/2012 | 12/31/2012 | AZ | MOHAVE | Eared Grebe | Trauma | ~ 100 | Univ of AZ Diagnostic Lab, USGS NWHC |
12/30/2012 | ongoing | TX | LAMB | Lesser Sandhill Crane | Open | ~ 100 | USGS NWHC |
12/30/2012 | 12/30/2012 | TN | SEVIER | European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird | Open | ~ 100 | SCWDS |
12/28/2012 | ongoing | CA | HUMBOLDT | Tundra Swan, Green-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Pintail, Mallard | Avian cholera suspect, Pasteurellosis: septicemic | < 3100 | CA Animal Health/Food Safety L, CA Fish & Game Disease Lab |
12/24/2012 | ongoing | WI | DANE | Pine Siskin | Salmonellosis | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
12/18/2012 | 12/18/2012 | MI | KALAMAZOO | American Coot | Bacterial enteritis, Parasitism: Leyogonimus polyoon | < 5 | MI Dept of Natural Resources, MI State University |
12/17/2012 | 01/07/2013 | CA | SONOMA | Unidentified Duck, Unidentified Gull, Unidentified Domestic Or Hybrid Goose | Avian cholera suspect | < 10 | CA Fish & Game Disease Lab, - no diagnostics pursued - |
12/12/2012 | ongoing | NE | STANTON | Greater Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose | Open | < 200 | USGS NWHC |
12/02/2012 | 12/03/2012 | OK | ROGERS | Red-winged Blackbird | Trauma, Toxicosis: pesticide suspect | ~ 100 | SCWDS |
11/16/2012 | 12/12/2012 | CA | ORANGE | American Wigeon, Mallard | Botulism suspect | < 75 | - no diagnostics pursued - |
11/15/2012 | 12/03/2012 | MT | YELLOWSTONE | Mallard | Aspergillosis suspect | < 25 | - no diagnostics pursued - |
11/14/2012 | 11/29/2012 | KY | HENDERSON | Mallard | Undetermined | < 25 | USGS NWHC, SCWDS |
11/09/2012 | 11/16/2012 | CA | KERN | Hybrid Mallard Duck, Mallard | Botulism suspect | ~ 100 | - no diagnostics pursued - |
11/07/2012 | ongoing | CA | SANTA CLARA | Pine Siskin | Salmonellosis suspect | ~ 10 | CA Animal Health/Food Safety L, CA Fish & Game Disease Lab |
11/07/2012 | ongoing | TX | LYNN | Eurasian Collared Dove | Viral Infection: Avian Paramyxovirus 1 suspect | < 75 | USGS NWHC |
11/01/2012 | 12/03/2012 | AK | ANCHORAGE | Tundra Swan | Emaciation: parasitism | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
11/01/2012 | 11/06/2012 | NY | OSWEGO | Long-Tailed (AKA Oldsquaw) Duck, Common Loon, Unidentified Grebe, Unidentified Gull | Undetermined | < 50 | Cornell University |
11/01/2012 | ongoing | MN | ITASCA | Ring-necked Duck, Mallard | Parasitism: trematodiasis | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
10/30/2012 | 11/01/2012 | NY | NIAGARA | Mudpuppy Salamander | Open | < 150 | USGS NWHC |
10/24/2012 | ongoing | CA | SAN MATEO | Pine Siskin | Salmonellosis | ~ 10 | CA Fish & Game Disease Lab |
10/23/2012 | 10/23/2012 | NJ | MONMOUTH | Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow | Trauma | < 25 | SCWDS |
10/21/2012 | 10/21/2012 | OR | DESCHUTES | Columbia Spotted Frog | Undetermined | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
10/19/2012 | ongoing | MN | ITASCA | American Coot, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup | Parasitism: trematodiasis | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
10/08/2012 | 01/18/2013 | CA | VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA | Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe | Emaciation, Aspergillosis | ~ 150 | CA Fish & Game Disease Lab, USGS NWHC, University of CA - Davis |
10/03/2012 | 11/19/2012 | MA | BARNSTABLE | Common Eider | Viral Infection suspect | < 200 | USGS NWHC, SCWDS |
10/02/2012 | 12/01/2012 | WA | CLARK | Cackling Goose | Aspergillosis | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
10/01/2012 | 10/15/2012 | IL | CARROLL | American Coot, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Canada Goose | Parasitism: trematodiasis, Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Leyogonimus polyoon | < 150 | USGS NWHC |
10/01/2012 | 11/30/2012 | OR | MARION | Cackling Goose | Aspergillosis suspect | < 50 | OR State Diagnostic Lab |
10/01/2012 | 12/31/2012 | NV | CLARK | Mourning Dove, Rock Dove | Toxicosis: Avitrol, Trauma | ~ 10 | NV Division of Wildlife, USGS NWHC |
09/24/2012 | 12/18/2012 | NV | CLARK | Eurasian Collared Dove | Viral Infection: pigeon paramyxovirus 1 | ~ 150 | USGS NWHC |
09/17/2012 | ongoing | MN | HOUSTON | Mallard, American Coot, Sora Rail, Blue-winged Teal | Parasitism: trematodiasis, Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Sphaeridiotrema globulus | ~ 600 | USGS NWHC |
09/17/2012 | ongoing | WI | LA CROSSE | American Coot, Blue-winged Teal | Parasitism: trematodiasis, Parasitism: Leyogonimus polyoon, Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis | < 250 | USGS NWHC |
09/15/2012 | 12/05/2012 | MI | LEELANAU | Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Long-Tailed (AKA Oldsquaw) Duck | Botulism type E | < 250 | MI Dept of Natural Resources |
09/07/2012 | ongoing | AS | WESTERN | Red Jungle Fowl, Purple-capped Fruit Dove | Open | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
09/04/2012 | 10/22/2012 | CA | FRESNO | Northern Shoveler, American Coot, Green-winged Teal | Botulism type C | ~ 500 | University of CA - Davis |
09/04/2012 | 11/05/2012 | OR | MULTNOMAH | Cackling Goose, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Wood Duck | Botulism type C, Aspergillosis | ~ 4000 | USGS NWHC, OR State Diagnostic Lab |
09/03/2012 | 12/01/2012 | CA | MODOC | Greater Sage Grouse | Open: emaciation | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
08/28/2012 | 10/15/2012 | CA | SISKIYOU | Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler | Botulism type C | < 2650 | USGS NWHC |
08/19/2012 | ongoing | ND | RICHLAND | American Coot, Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Wood Duck, Double-crested Cormorant | Botulism type C | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
08/15/2012 | ongoing | KS | SALINE | Canada Goose | Open | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
08/08/2012 | 10/25/2012 | MD | TALBOT | Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Killdeer, Semipalmated Sandpiper, American Black Duck | Botulism type C, Toxicosis: blue-green algae suspect | ~ 800 | USGS NWHC, PA Animal Diagnostic Lab, SCWDS |
08/06/2012 | ongoing | MI | MACKINAC | Red-necked Grebe, Herring Gull, Common Loon | Aspergillosis, Open | ~ 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/18/2012 | ongoing | MN | LAC QUI PARLE | Ring-billed Gull, American White Pelican | Botulism type C, Viral Infection: West Nile | < 2400 | USGS NWHC, University of MN |
07/17/2012 | ongoing | MI | WAYNE | Mallard | Botulism type C | < 25 | MI Dept of Natural Resources |
07/10/2012 | ongoing | ONT | | Double-crested Cormorant | Viral Infection: Avian Paramyxovirus 1 suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/02/2012 | ongoing | IL | COOK | Mallard, Canada Goose | Botulism type C | < 5 | USGS NWHC |
06/30/2012 | ongoing | MN | DAKOTA | Mallard | Botulism type C | ~ 75 | USGS NWHC |
06/23/2012 | 11/20/2012 | MI | BENZIE, LEELANAU | Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Long-Tailed (AKA Oldsquaw) Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe | Botulism type E | < 1500 | USGS NWHC |
06/20/2012 | ongoing | NE | GARDEN | Eared Grebe, American White Pelican | Botulism suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
06/18/2012 | ongoing | SD | BROWN, WALWORTH | Double-crested Cormorant, Eared Grebe, Wood Duck, American White Pelican | Botulism type C, Trauma, Emaciation | < 500 | USGS NWHC |
06/13/2012 | ongoing | HI | MAUI | Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Stilt, Hybrid Mallard x Hawaiian Duck | Botulism type C | < 75 | USGS NWHC |
06/06/2012 | 11/21/2012 | MI | SCHOOLCRAFT | Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Long-Tailed (AKA Oldsquaw) Duck, White-winged Scoter, Red-necked Grebe | Botulism type E | < 900 | MI Dept of Natural Resources, USGS NWHC |
06/05/2012 | 11/21/2012 | WI | DOOR, BROWN, KEWAUNEE | Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Double-crested Cormorant | Botulism type E | < 150 | USGS NWHC |
06/01/2012 | ongoing | IN | PIKE | Eastern Box Turtle | Viral Infection: Ranavirus suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
05/20/2012 | ongoing | IN | JEFFERSON | Unidentified Bat | Autolyzed/Decomposed | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
05/01/2012 | ongoing | MN | BECKER | Mudpuppy Salamander | Open | ~ 1000 | USGS NWHC |
04/14/2012 | ongoing | HI | HONOLULU | Great Barracuda | Open | < 50 | USGS NWHC, - other - |
04/12/2012 | ongoing | TX | MATAGORDA | Brown Pelican | Emaciation | ~ 300 | 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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