A picturesque lake nestled in Australia’s suburbs has become the scene of a disturbing mystery. For weeks, wildlife rescuers have been retrieving the bodies of dead ducks and other native birds from its waters.
“They have no visible injuries, cause of death unknown,” wrote concerned WIRES volunteer Inga Tiere on a community social media page. Later, she revealed to Yahoo News, “it’s been going on for weeks and there are dead birds all the time.”
Samples from two ducks and an ibis found at a Mount Annan lake in Sydney’s southwest have been sent for specialized testing in Western Australia.
Botulism, a serious condition caused by a toxin that disrupts the nervous system, is the suspected culprit. The bacteria responsible, clostridium botulinum, is naturally found in soil and water. Snodgrass wrote that recent heavy rains following a dry spell created ideal conditions for this bacteria to flourish undetected in stagnant pools or slow-moving water.
“It can fester undetected for months inside stagnant pools, or slow-flowing water, and then become flushed to the surface and unleash carnage on wildlife,” she wrote.
Birds like pelicans, that frequently come into contact with water, or brush turkeys, which spend a lot of time in soil, are notably vulnerable.
WIRES head vet Dr Tania Bishop confirmed to Yahoo News that recent weather patterns have led to sporadic botulism cases across Sydney.
“I’m not surprised by it.We’ve had dry weather and then a lot of rain. it’s the perfect condition for it,” she told Yahoo News.
In 2023, suspected cases popped up at a downtown lake and near Brisbane’s airport. Later that same year,over 700 birds where affected by the disease at a reserve in regional Victoria.
The insidious nature of botulism often leads to birds losing the ability to keep their heads above water,ultimately resulting in drowning.
The disturbing incidents at Mount Annan underscore the growing threat climate change poses to Australia’s native wildlife.
Dr. Bishop expresses deep concern that extreme weather events, predicted to increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change, will lead to a surge in wildlife diseases like botulism.
“Climate change affects everything — water availability, food availability, the quality of trees,” she said, emphasizing that the impact goes far beyond merely rising temperatures.
Among her concerns is the southward spread of tropical diseases due to warmer, more humid conditions. Lorikeet and flying fox paralysis syndrome are two other debilitating diseases she believes are linked to these weather extremes.
Koalas, already facing extinction in NSW by 2050, are being severely impacted.”There is less moisture available in the soil, so it causes eucalyptus trees to lay down more oxalate crystals — it’s a stress response to protect the tree,” Bishop explained.
These oxalate crystals, passed on to koalas through the leaves, reduce kidney function, further endangering this vulnerable species.
How can communities effectively respond to and prevent wildlife diseases like botulism?
Q&A with Dr. Tania Bishop on the Alarming Botulism Crisis Affecting Australia’s Wildlife
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Bishop. We’re deeply concerned about the current situation at Mount Annan, where over the past few weeks, wildlife rescuers have been recovering dead ducks and other native birds without any visible injuries. What do you believe is causing this tragic loss of wildlife?
Dr. Tania Bishop: Thank you for having me. The primary suspect in this concerning situation is a serious condition known as botulism, which is caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. These bacteria can thrive in stagnant water, especially after heavy rains following a dry spell. The recent weather patterns have created ideal conditions for this bacteria to flourish, leading to distressing effects on our native birds.
Time.news Editor: Can you elaborate on how climate change is influencing this crisis?
Dr. Tania Bishop: Certainly. Climate change is not just about rising temperatures; it encompasses changes in rainfall patterns and extreme weather events. The interplay of dry weather followed by heavy rain contributes to the formation of stagnant pools of water, which can harbor botulism. As these extreme weather conditions become more frequent, we can expect a surge in wildlife diseases like botulism, posing an increasing threat to Australia’s biodiversity.
Time.news Editor: What are some symptoms of botulism in birds,and how does it lead to their death?
Dr. Tania Bishop: Birds affected by botulism ofen experience neurotoxic symptoms that can lead to paralysis.One disturbing outcome is their loss of ability to keep their heads above water, which regrettably results in drowning. This insidious nature of the disease means that by the time we see visible impacts, significant damage has already been done to bird populations.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned other diseases linked to climate change. Can you clarify what those are?
Dr. Tania Bishop: Yes, besides botulism, we are also seeing a rise in diseases like lorikeet and flying fox paralysis syndrome. Warmer and more humid conditions create an environment where these diseases can thrive and spread, impacting our wildlife even further. These conditions make it harder for species like koalas to survive, as the eucalyptus trees they depend on experience stress, leading to systemic issues that reduce their nutritional value.
Time.news Editor: Given this concerning situation, what practical advice can you give to our readers who want to help protect wildlife during these challenging times?
Dr. Tania Bishop: First and foremost,I encourage everyone to report any sightings of sick or dead birds to local wildlife rescue organizations. It’s critical to monitor these patterns and implement immediate responses. Additionally,individuals can definitely help by reducing pollution in local waterways,maintaining gardens that support native species,and staying informed about climate change impacts on wildlife.Even small actions can contribute to larger preservation efforts.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Bishop, for sharing your insights on this alarming situation regarding Australia’s wildlife. We hope for a swift resolution to the mystery at Mount Annan and greater awareness surrounding the impacts of climate change.
Dr. Tania Bishop: Thank you for having me.Raising awareness is key, and I appreciate the chance to discuss these pressing issues affecting our environment and wildlife.