At least 30 tundra swans, together with snow geese and different waterfowl died in a mass casualty occasion in Central and Eastern Oregon final week. Residents in Harney and Wallowa Counties reported tons of of waterfowl falling from the sky early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, in response to KTVZ News. Officials clarify {that a} lunar eclipse coincided with a extreme snowstorm the night time earlier than, which seemingly disoriented the birds, inflicting them to crash into the bottom, energy traces, phone poles, and different objects.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the occasion, and district biologist Lee Foster reached out to Think Wild, a wildlife rehabilitation hospital in Bend, to assist take care of the wounded birds. Most of the fallen birds suffered deadly or non-repairable accidents, however rehabbers have been capable of save one injured tundra swan that was discovered within the city of Dewsey. Think Wild’s lead veterinarian Dr. Laura Acevedo instructed reporters that the fowl was unable to fly however would seemingly get better in time.
“We found no significant fractures or injuries, but the swan does have bruising and likely soft tissue damage that will need time to heal,” Acevedo stated. “Think Wild will provide ample space, food, medication for pain management, and time for recovery.”
Acevedo added that Think Wild will quarantine and deal with the swan underneath strict protocols as a consequence of issues in regards to the ongoing outbreak of High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI)—regardless that the fowl didn’t present any signs of the virus.
“Because the casualties and injuries during the event were clearly caused by collisions with power lines and the ground, district biologists are fairly confident that HPAI is not a factor,” she stated. “Wildlife rehabilitators in the state are still prohibited from accepting waterfowl patients expect in rare cases such as this casualty event.”
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Tundra swans are ceaselessly seen in Oregon and different Pacific Flyway states through the spring and fall migrations. They sometimes fly in household teams of as much as 100 birds, and journey round 4,000 miles every manner, beginning within the Arctic tundra and heading as far south as California’s Central Valley.
The North American inhabitants of tundra swans at present hovers round 193,000 people, in response to the American Bird Conservancy. Over the previous few years, nevertheless, the altering local weather has taken its toll on Central Oregon’s waterfowl populations. Prolonged drought has shrunk their accessible habitat, and land managers are having to make powerful choices concerning water utilization. Local biologists additionally say that this 12 months’s unusually heat fall season was adopted by a collection of utmost winter climate occasions, which can have contributed to final week’s mass casualty occasion.