Botulism Kills Ducks In Aurora

The city of Aurora said a number of ducks died last month due to botulism outbreaks at a couple of parks.

Jenna Katsaros, spokeswoman for Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space, said a number of ducks were found dead at Utah Park and Expo Park.

Katsaros said 40 ducks were found dead in the final two weeks of August at Utah Park. Laboratory tests determined

that the waterfowl died from avian botulism.Several dozen ducks were found dead by the same disease at nearby Expo Park in August as well.

The ponds in both of the parks are storm water retention ponds. Katsaros said the ponds serve to mitigate any flooding in the adjacent neighborhoods.

Avian Botulism Not Uncommon

Avian botulism is not an uncommon occurrence during the summer months in the Denver metro area. Angela Casias of Denver Parks and Recreation said Denver say several cases of the disease but not any major outbreaks.

"They usually happen in super hot weather," Casias said.

Casias said that if sick birds are reported to the department in time, it is possible to treat them before the bacterial infection becomes fatal.

"When we were able to get to the sick birds when they were sick rather than before they died, there was a 98 percent survival rate for them," she said.

The stricken ducks are put on a regiment of antibiotics to cure them. After they are given a clean bill of health, they are released back at the park again, Casias said.

Feeding Ducks Contributes To Botulism

Katsaros said a contributing factor to the two outbreaks of avian botulism was park visitors feeding the birds.

She said feeding any park animals can lead to unhealthy congregations of animals at the park. If the animals know they can get handouts at a park, they are less likely to leave.

"That concentrates their feces and all of this creates conditions for botulism to occur," Katsaros said.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there have only been a handful of cases where people or dogs have contracted avian botulism.