Manitoba - Dead or sick birds alarming wildlife group in the Winnipeg area

[Pathfinder]

Birds sent for testing after abnormal number of deaths in some species

Dead or sick birds alarming wildlife group

Gabrielle Marchand, CTV News Weekend Anchor / Reporter

@GabbyCTV

Published Thursday, July 19, 2018 5:42PM CST

A Manitoba wildlife organization is sounding the alarm after a number of birds have been found either sick or dead.
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?We?ve probably seen well over 50 crows with similar symptoms,? said Tretiak.

?Even the crows that we?ve had in care have been dying on us.?

Tretiak also said they?d found over 30 dead merlins, a small falcon species, in just a few weeks.
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The testing is being paid for by the province and a statement from Manitoba Sustainable Development reads:

?Manitoba Sustainable Development is investigating reports of sick or dead merlins (small falcon species) and crows in the Winnipeg area. A sample of deceased birds have been submitted for necropsy and testing in hopes of identifying the cause.?

https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/birds-sent-for-testing-after-abnormal-number-of-deaths-in-some-species-1.4020630

[Pathfinder]

Province investigating mystifying deaths of 13 birds around pond

By: Ashley Prest | Posted: 08/1/2018 7:00 PM |

A woman who found more than a dozen dead birds near a Maples-area pond isn't buying the city's explanation that they died from people feeding them "mouldy bread."
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Ken Allen, a spokesman from the City of Winnipeg, said signs are posted at this pond and others to discourage feeding of waterfowl.

"There have been issues of bird mortality around this pond and other retention ponds in the past and in some cases these may be related to feeding of the waterfowl and the types of food which are being left for waterfowl. The City reports large die-offs of birds at ponds to Manitoba Sustainable Development. The Province would be able to provide more information on how they investigate disease related to bird die-offs," he said in an emailed statement.

A spokesman for Manitoba Sustainable Development said there was not yet enough information for a comment.

"The province is aware of the situation and is investigating," the spokesman stated in an email.

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https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/province-investigating-mystifying-deaths-of-13-birds-around-pond-489808361.html