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  • US - Florida: Officials investigating dead pelicans - January 18, 2017

    Ecologists to Investigate Dead Birds in St. Pete

    Posted by: the Gabber in Community, St. Petersburg January 18, 2017

    The city of St. Petersburg has hired scientists with Arcadis U.S. to help municipal and state officials determine why more than a dozen pelicans have been found dead or sick in or near local waterways in recent days.


    more...

    A dozen pelicans have been found dead or sick in recent days; the city has posted “Unknown Potential Health Risk” signs along waterways



  • #2
    JAN 16 2017

    City of St. Petersburg Assisting With Discovery of Dead And Sick Pelicans; Testing Water for Cause

    After more than one dozen pelicans have been found dead or sick in or near local waterways, the City of St. Petersburg Public Works Administration, which includes Water Resources and Stormwater departments, are working alongside the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other local partners to remove the birds and identify the cause of the illness.

    ?We are testing the water for biological indicators and dissolved oxygen content and expect results on Tuesday. Per Mayor Rick Kriseman?s direction, we are also pursuing more extensive testing in order to better determine a cause prior to Florida Fish and Wildlife?s necropsy results,? said Interim Director of Water Resources John Palenchar.

    A cold-weather fish kill near Riviera Bay Lake last week was also accompanied by reports of sick pelicans. John Norris, Director for Stormwater, Pavement and Traffic Operations for the city said that more than one ton of fish were removed from the lake by his crew. ?We have not yet determined if there is a connection between the fish kill in Riviera Bay and the pelicans found sick or dead in other parts of the city,? said Norris.

    The Department of Environmental Protection has also been notified, although there are no reports of a recent spill or discharge into our waterways.

    In an abundance of caution, signs with the following message have been posted along waterways from St. Petersburg?s downtown to Weedon Island.

    WARNING
    Unknown Potential Health Risk
    DO NOT PLAY SWIM OR FISH IN THIS AREA
    Due to recent Bird illnesses in this vicinity, residents and cautioned to avoid contact with surface water until further notice. Water Samples are being taken and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is being apprised of the situation. FWCC can be contacted at 888-404-FWCC. The City Water Resources Department can be contacted at 727-893-7261.

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    Updated: Jan. 17, 2017 01:22:54 PM



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    Riviera Bay, Coffee Pot Bayou Water Test Results Near Normal; Bird Testing Continues

    ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 17, 2017) ? Initial test results from water samples taken from waters in and around Coffee Pot Bayou and Riviera Bay have shown no abnormalities.

    ?From all we?ve seen, the water there is in overall good shape,? said Interim Water Resources Director John Palenchar. ?But we will continue testing, and so the signs will stay up for awhile.?

    Warnings for recreational water users about the dead pelicans (first seen at a retention pond near Riviera Bay, then over the past weekend in and around Coffee Pot Bayou) were posted along the shore line from North Shore Park through Coffee Pot Bayou. The signs informed residents about the enhanced and cooperative testing being spearheaded by the city of St. Petersburg and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC). The City has also brought in an independent biologist to further study what?s causing the birds to be sick.

    Initial water samples from the retention pond where the sick birds were first encountered showed low levels of dissolved oxygen. Samples from nearby Riviera Bay and waters further south into Coffee Pot Bayou had normal levels of oxygen. In addition, the other tested elements fell within normal parameters for recreational waterways, with the exception of a lone site near the Coffee Pot Bayou boat ramp that showed poor water quality.

    ?We will continue to work with the FWCC and our independent partners to pinpoint the problem,? said Palenchar. Palenchar added that the incident is in no way related to last summer?s heavy rains and the subsequent discharge of potentially treated sewage water.

    The latest information can be found at www.stpete.org/water/waterquality.php. More information will be released when it becomes available.
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    Updated: Jan. 17, 2017 05:22:14 PM



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    St. Petersburg Brings in Additional Assistance to Investigate Sick Pelicans ?Update #1

    St. Petersburg, FL (January 17, 2017) - In an effort to expedite and enhance current testing and investigation into a troubling discovery of sick birds near local waterways, the city of St. Petersburg is calling in an independent ecologist to assist.

    Scientists with Arcadis U.S., based in Melbourne, Florida, have joined with St. Petersburg Water Resources and investigative crews from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) to gather clues into what is causing the Pelicans? sickness.

    ?We want to have experts evaluating this,? said John Palenchar, Interim Water Resources Director, ?Independently tasked to find out ? as soon as possible ? what?s causing this.?

    St. Petersburg has been dealing with this situation since last week, when a fish-kill was reported on January 12, at a stormwater retention pond in the Riviera Bay area.

    ?RBLake #1? is a freshwater stormwater pond with many exotic tilapia, which are susceptible to low temperature and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) issues. Adequate dissolved oxygen is necessary for good water quality, as well as a necessary element to all forms of life. Natural stream purification processes require adequate oxygen levels in order to provide for aerobic life forms. As dissolved oxygen levels in water drop below 5.0 mg/l, aquatic life is put under stress. The lower the concentration, the greater the stress. Oxygen levels that remain below 1-2 mg/l for a few hours can result in large fish kills.

    Preliminary data from that pond showed readings at approximately 0.32 mg/l, with 4,900 pounds of fish removed from Riviera Bay Lake.

    FWCC have taken water and algae samples to test for quality and is also testing the birds that died to determine cause of death.

    The second location is Coffee Pot Bayou, about 3 miles south of Riviera Bay. Scientists are investigating the probability that the affected birds initially fed on fish at RB Lake#1 and flew to Coffee Pot Bayou, which is near a substantial pelican habitat.

    All testing -- by the FWCC, City of St.Petersburg, and now Arcadis -- will be coordinated and used to formulate a plan to keep the birds safe, as well as to alert residents and recreational water users to any potential problems. Further details and results will be released when they become available.
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    Updated: Jan. 17, 2017 05:21:21 PM



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    City Continues Water Testing Regarding Bird Deaths Alongside FWC Investigation

    ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 18, 2017) ? St. Petersburg Public Works employees have collected 15 dead or dying pelicans since January 12. They?ve also stepped up to assist in the investigation as what?s making the birds so sick, working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, local rescue groups and learning institutions.

    Since Stormwater, Pavement, and Traffic Operations Director John Norris and his crews responded to fish kill in a retention pond earlier this month near Riviera Bay, St. Petersburg Public Works staffers have assisted with everything from gathering water samples to sign placement ? warning residents and recreational water users of the enhanced testing.

    ?The good news is that the water is in good shape,? said John Palenchar, Interim Water Resources Director. ?We are continuing with follow-up sampling and data sharing with FWC and our environmental consultant.?

    A reminder from the FWC: Citizens observing sick or dead birds or other wildlife are encouraged to make an online bird mortality report or to call FWC?s Fish Kill Hotline at 1-800-636-0511.

    The City of St. Petersburg is continually updating our water quality samples and posting the information through the ?Recreational Water Quality? tab at www.stpete.org/water/waterquality.php.

    Further findings will be updated as they become available both at www.stpete.org and through @StPetePW .



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    Warning Signs Removed; Water Quality Testing Continues

    ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 19, 2017) ? Following recent tests on water in and around Coffee Pot Bayou which have come back within normal ranges, Public Works crews have removed the warning signs around the shoreline. The warning signs had been recently placed around Coffee Pot Bayou as tests were being conducted following the discovery of numerous sick and dying brown pelicans.

    ?The water quality is not in question in Coffee Pot Bayou,? stated John Palenchar, Interim Water Resources Director. ?And we are working with all concerned to try and find out what made the birds sick.?

    A total of 17 pelicans have been sent to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) Wildlife Lab in Gainesville for necropsy. Samples taken during necropsy will be sent to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) in Georgia for further testing and additional samples will be sent to FWC?s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg to be tested for algal toxins. Busch Gardens is sending blood, fecal, and tissue samples to the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to be tested for algal toxins. Toxin analysis to determine if this is potentially related to red tide will be available 2-3 days after samples are received. Results from samples submitted to SCWDS will take longer, possibly weeks.

    Today, biological testing experts from Arcadis are taking further samples for their independent testing.

    ?There is no pre-conceived notion as to what may be going on out here,? said Scott Lehman, Arcadis Senior Asset Consultant. ?Our intent is to be that third party review to see if we find anything independent of what the city is finding.?

    So far, Palenchar says the city has found that the water quality is ?well within the parameters for recreational usage.?

    The test results from the independent consultant Arcadis will likely be ready by early next week.

    For updates, visit www.stpete.org/water/waterquality.php or follow us @StPetePW .

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    Updated: Jan. 19, 2017 11:22:52 AM



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    Water Quality Tests Continue After Nanoplankton And Red Tide Found

    ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 20, 2017) ? Warning signs have been removed from waters along Coffee Pot Bayou, but state-sponsored and independent scientists continue to study the water quality following the recent rash of pelican deaths.

    Initial test results, compared with a recent baseline series of samples provided by the city of St. Petersburg, showed water was within recreational use parameters. Despite increased water testing in the area, recent events have not caused a decrease in visitors to Coffee Pot Park. Activity by residents on social media indicate that there is more fish and wildlife activity in the waters over the past week.

    A water sample collected Thursday, January 19, by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff at Riviera Lake #1, the site of an initial cold weather inversion-related fish kill last week which led to discoveries of sick or dead brown pelicans, has turned up bloom concentrations of nanoplankton. Meanwhile, a water sample collected at Bayou Grande, meanwhile, where a dead white pelican was found, showed background concentrations of Karenia brevis, or red tide. Results of those tests, as well as necropsies on the dead pelicans, should be ready by next week. Research teams from the city, state and an independent study group will continue to monitor the waters for any unusual activity during the weekend.

    The latest information is available at www.stpete.org/water/waterquality.php.

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    Updated: Jan. 20, 2017 05:21:26 PM



    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

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    • #3
      Rehabilitated Pelicans Released; Studies Continue Into Avian Sickness



      ST. PETERSBURG, FL (January 26, 2017) ? Following two weeks of care and rehabilitation, seven brown pelicans have been released back into their native habitat ? near the rookery at Snell Isle in the waters of Coffee Pot Bayou. pelicans rehab

      ?I?m happy with that,? said Kris Porter with Owl?s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife. Porter and her team of rescuers were responsible for nursing the sick pelicans back to health after almost 70 birds were found sick or dead near the site of a fish kill earlier this month in a retention pond near Riviera Bay located close to the pelican?s breeding colony at Snell Isle. That rookery is also home to hundreds of birds who have exhibited no ill effects since the initial discoveries.

      Warning signs were posted by the city of St. Petersburg on January 15 as a precaution, while scientists took water samples and studied potential causes of the avian sickness. The signs were later removed as water quality test results were found to be well within the accepted parameters for recreational use. Studies by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Arcadis, an independent firm hired by the city, continue. Those results are expected within the week. So far, tests have ruled out a number of possibilities, but no specific reason has been found.

      Porter, who has more than 40 years? experience working with wildlife and wildlife rescues, says while the pelican deaths may actually be from natural causes, the nearby fish kill and red tide caused by the cold weather inversion, may also be factors. ?It seems that we see pelican issues every January, but I?m just happy to have these birds better.?

      More information will be released when results of toxicology and in-depth water testing are finalized.

      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
      -Nelson Mandela

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      • #4
        February 3 - Tests Continue to Determine Cause of Pelican Deaths; Pelican Mortality Update

        Tests Continue to Determine Cause of Pelican Deaths

        CONTACT: Bill Logan, Public Works Communications Manager, 727-893-7250 (o) or bill.logan@stpete.org

        ST. PETERSBURG, FL (February 3, 2017) ? Scientists continue looking into the January illness and death of Pinellas County brown pelicans following initial inconclusive test results. A report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicates more testing is needed to determine the cause of death of 70 brown and one white pelicans.

        Since January 11th St. Petersburg Water Resources workers have collected water samples ? with results showing water quality within acceptable ranges for recreational use. Also, independent biologists from Arcadis, brought in to investigate the water quality and to provide more in-depth testing, as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), have continued their pursuit of a basis for the sickness.

        To date, no definitive source has been identified, although tests for avian influenza and arboviruses, have been negative. Other diagnostic tests, including those for avian botulism, are still pending.

        The full findings are detailed in the FWC Pelican Mortality Update, which is available at www.stpete.org/water/waterquality.php.



        ----------------------------------------------------------------

        Pelican Mortality Update 1/31/2017

         Since January 11, 2017, FWC has received 35 reports about dead or ill pelicans across southern Pinellas
        County, including eight requests for information. Initial reports were received from Gulfport and Pass-AGrille.
        FWC staff investigated subsequent reports from Riviera Bay Lake #1, Coffee Pot Bayou, and
        Bayou Grande and observed dead and sick pelicans.

         To date, we have confirmed reports of at least 70 dead or ill brown pelicans and at least one white
        pelican. (See map with locations of reports to date below.)

         FWC has been working with the City of St. Petersburg, Busch Gardens, Seaside Seabird Sanctuary,
        Owl?s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife, and other local rehabbers to respond to this event. At least 24
        birds have been successfully treated in local wildlife rehabilitation centers and have been released
        or are ready to be released.

         FWC and partners have collected 23 pelicans for necropsy, although some are not useful due to
        the state of decomposition. FWC-FWRI staff at the Wildlife Lab in Gainesville and in St. Petersburg
        have necropsied five pelicans; veterinarians at SCWDS (the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife
        Disease Study) in Georgia have necropsied four pelicans; and veterinarians at Busch Gardens have
        necropsied at least five pelicans.

         Gross necropsies did not yield any remarkable findings. All birds were in good nutritional
        condition. Tests for avian influenza in 13 birds and arboviruses in 4 birds have been negative.
        Other diagnostic tests (i.e. avian botulism) are still pending.

         FWC staff have been monitoring an ongoing bloom of the red tide alga, Karenia brevis, along
        Pinellas and Manatee counties (including areas in Lower Tampa Bay). Red tide was not detected in
        event response samples collected in Coffee Pot Bayou on 1/13 and just outside the Bayou on 1/18.

        Through targeted water sampling conducted on 1/18 in Mid and Lower Tampa Bay, and routine
        coastal sampling conducted weekly, FWC has confirmed that bloom levels of Karenia brevis persist
        in Lower Tampa Bay. Monitoring for harmful algal blooms is ongoing, and results are updated
        biweekly at http://myfwc.com/redtidestatus.

         Samples from 15 pelicans were sent to FWC-FWRI staff in St. Petersburg for algal toxin testing to
        determine if these mortalities are potentially related to the ongoing red tide. Low levels of
        brevetoxin (the red tide toxin) were detected in the gastrointestinal contents of some of the
        pelicans, demonstrating some exposure, however tissue samples were negative for the toxin.
        Testing is still in progress, and the results to date are inconclusive. Given the low levels measured
        and the lack of any other affected species, the deaths may not be related to red tide.

         Citizens observing sick or dead birds or other wildlife are encouraged to make an online bird
        mortality report or to call FWC?s Fish Kill Hotline at 1-800-636-0511.
        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
        -Nelson Mandela

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