Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/comments/0,21590,23788761-2761,00.html
Hayley Bolton
May 31, 2008 05:00pm
WA'S iconic emblem - the black swan - and other birds are dying from a paralysing disease infecting lakes across Perth.
The disease, avian botulism, has been described as the human equivalent of food poisoning and paralyses birds to the point where they can't keep their head above water, causing them to drown.
Karen Pryce-Howells, founder of Native ARC, an animal rehabilitation centre in Bibra Lake, has been collecting and disposing of the dead birds, which further contaminate the water.
``If we don't break the cycle, it could wipe out virtually everything on the lake,'' Ms Pryce-Howells said. ``It really does have to be cleared up quickly.
Hayley Bolton
May 31, 2008 05:00pm
WA'S iconic emblem - the black swan - and other birds are dying from a paralysing disease infecting lakes across Perth.
The disease, avian botulism, has been described as the human equivalent of food poisoning and paralyses birds to the point where they can't keep their head above water, causing them to drown.
Karen Pryce-Howells, founder of Native ARC, an animal rehabilitation centre in Bibra Lake, has been collecting and disposing of the dead birds, which further contaminate the water.
``If we don't break the cycle, it could wipe out virtually everything on the lake,'' Ms Pryce-Howells said. ``It really does have to be cleared up quickly.